PNP: No Abu Sayyaf threat in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday assured the public that there is no threat of Abu Sayyaf in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said that an interagency assessment monitoring regularly the activities of Abu Sayyaf.

Carlos said that the rebel group has a low presence outside the provinces of Sulu and Basilan where their camps are located.

“We assure the public that the inter-agency meets regularly to do an assessment to the level of threats in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country. Kung ‘yan ay nag-escalate ang threat level, malalaman noong mga agencies involved in this council o committee,” the PNP official said.

READ: 15 Filipino troops killed in clash with Abu Sayyaf rebels

The assurance to the public came following the relentless attack of the government against the rebel group after President Rodrigo Duterte’s ordered to crush them.

In the recent encounter, 15 government troops were killed, while five were wounded in Patikul, Sulu on Monday. Two, meanwhile, died from the extremists.

Carlos also guaranteed the public of their safety as authorities’ “intelligence community” is ready.

“Kung ‘yung pangamba nila na tatakbo sila (Abu Sayyaf) rito to divert ‘yung ginagawang operation ng gobyerno sa down south ay nakahanda ang ating forces here in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country,” he said.