PNP dispels terror threat in Metro Manila

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao (Photo by Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net)

The recent arrest of a Maute group sub-leader in Tondo should not be a cause for alarm for Metro Manila residents, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao allayed fears of a possible terror threat to the capital following the arrest of Maute subleader, Nasser Lomondot alias Muhamad Lomondot.

“Pero yung kanyang pagpunta dito sa Manila (But his escape to Manila) should not be a cause for alarm for our citizens dahil ang ating (because our) Philippine National Police naman and ang AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are on our toes, we are in control of the situation,” Bulalacao said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.

On Monday, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa presented Lomondot to the media in a press conference in Camp Crame.

Lomondot and his wife, Raisalam Lomondot, were arrested on Saturday at their clothes stall in Recto, Manila.

Dela Rosa said the leader escaped at the height of the Marawi siege last year.

The police chief, however, said that Lomondot had no intention “to create havoc” in the metropolis but only to hide from the law.

READ: Suspected Maute leader, wife nabbed

Bulalacao said that initial reports indicate that Lomondot solely came to Manila to seek refuge and escape from the effects of martial law in Mindanao.

“Base doon sa report ay mag-isa lang siya, talagang nagpunta lang dito para umiwas sa pressure ng martial law sa Mindanao,” Bulalacao said.

(Based on the report, we was just alone, he just went here to escape the pressure of martial law in Mindanao.)

“And at the same time makapagpahinga dito dahil siguro doon sa naging experience niya na five months na gyera doon sa Marawi,” he added.

(And at the same time, to rest here probably because of his five-month experience of the war in Marawi.) /jpv