Erap orders tight security amid arrest of ‘IS recruiter’

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) to tighten security in the city following the arrest of an Egyptian man believed to be an Islamic State (IS) recruiter in Ermita last week.

Estrada issued the directive to Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel, MPD chief, during a meeting to assess the security situation in the city.

 Fehmi Lassqued was presented to media by Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.

Dela Rosa said Lassqued was apprehended along with his Filipina partner during a raid on his apartment in Ermita that yielded explosives and firearms.

Lassqued, allegedly a government negotiator and commander for IS in Syria, was in Manila supposedly to recruit IS members.

Estrada ordered the MPD to implement strict security measures to thwart possible terrorist acts by the IS.