Police confirm Oro, Iligan in intel report

By NITZ ARANCON and LITO RULONA
Correspondents

CAMP Alagar yesterday confirmed that intelligence reports indicated that the bombs seized from a group in Lanao del Sur on Monday afternoon included Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and an Army Brigade in Marawi as possible targets.

But despite Cagayan de Oro and Iligan’s inclusion in the intelligence information, police however were more inclined to believe that the bombs were intended for the 103rd Brigade in Marawi City, said Supt. Surki Sereñas, Camp Alagar spokesman.

Chief Supt. Noel Constantino, police director for northern Mindanao, stepped up security measures near the boundaries of Iligan City and the Lanao provinces following the seizure of the bombs in Barangay Nanagun, Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur.

Soldiers seized an improvised explosive device made of an 81-mm mortar attached to two other pipe bombs, and triggering devices inside the suspects’ FX Tamaraw vehicle.

Sereñas said the intelligence reports that reached Camp Alagar showed that the Maute terrorist group has been targeting soldiers from the 103rd Brigade in Marawi City because the government troops have been running after them in Lanao del Sur.

“Ang 103rd Brigade gyud ang ilang target kay kini man nga grupo sa mga sundalo ang  nag-operate batok sa mga terrorist group sa Lanao del Sur,” he said.

Sereñas said the police Iligan and Cagayan de Oro were too far from the area were the military seized the bombs.

“Layo ra kayo ang Cagayan de Oro. Mas  una gyud nilang target sa mga suspect ang ilang   pagpanimalos batok sa 103rd Brigade,” Sereñas said.

Senior Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, city police director,  said the intelligence reports on the terror plot that included Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Marawi and even the Zamboanga area were discussed during a security meeting on Tuesday.

“We do not discount the possibility that there is a terror group that went around major cities in Mindanao conducting surveillance operation on how to attack urban centers,” Cariaga said.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar  Moreno called on authorities to verify the intelligence reports, and determine if Cagayan de Oro was really a target of the Maute group.

Moreno said he was worried that the leaked intelligence reports would put the city in a bad light.

Moreno also appealed to the media to handle such stories with care and exercise “some level of responsibility” because it could affect the city.

“You also have the responsibility  not to create apprehension or anxiety to the people,” said Moreno even as he asked media not to speculate that the bombing plan had something to do with the upcoming Cagayan de Oro fiesta.

Moreno commended authorities for foiling the plan of the Maute group to carry out a bomb attack and for arresting suspects in Lanao de Sur.

Authorities identified those arrested as Hashim Balawag Maute, Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok, Omar Khalil, Hafidah Romato Maute, Nasifa Pandug  and Norhanna Balawag Maute.

“Nalipay ko nga nadakpan ang mga suspect,” Moreno said.

He assured that authorities were well-prepared to secure the city as it celebrates its annual fiesta this weekend.

“Wala nay angay    kabalak-an kay hugot    ang atong security measures sa fiesta,” Moreno said.

Police have started deploying officers from Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB). The Army’s  4th Infantry Division also fielded soldieres to help.

Cariaga said the augmentation force would be seen on main thoroughfares, key and thickly populated areas until after the festivities.