MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is still verifying reports of at least seven foreign terrorists who were allegedly working with local terrorist groups in Western Mindanao.
PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde said in a press conference on Wednesday said their intelligence agency is still confirming the presence of the extremist – earlier claimed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday.
“Hindi naman natin pwedeng ma-confirm or deny. Kaya nga tinawag na intelligence information — these are all needing of confirmation from the ground by our intelligence agency for that matter kailangan nating i-verify,” he said.
Western Mindanao Command chief Major General Cirilito Sobejana said that foreign terrorists are “grooming” future suicide bombers from local groups that have pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
According to him, the seven foreign terrorists are scattered in Basilan, Sulu, and Maguindanao with the Abu Sayyaf Group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Seven people were killed in a suicide bombing attack at a military outpost in Indanan, Sulu last month. One of the two bombers that carried out the attack was a Filipino, the first known case of its kind./PN
