Two suspected foreign terrorists who are currently in the Philippines are being monitored by the military.
Classified information from the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) disclosed that one of the terrorists is 20 year-old Ainum Pretty Ameli, daughter of alias “Abang.” Abang is an Indonesian national who is one of the suicide bombers in the Jolo Cathedral blast last year.
WesMinCom Commander MGen. Corleto Vinluan said they are closely watching the children of the Jolo Cathedral bombers especially since they do not have any information if they have undergone indoctrination or if they are capable of being suicide bombers.
The local government of Zamboanga City earlier considered two more Indonesian nationals as suspected terrorists named Andi Boso and Rezki Fantasya alias “Cici” who are also children of the Jolo Cathedral bombers. The two are said to be accomplices of Mundi Sawadjaan who allegedly has a plan to sow violence in Zamboanga. Sawadjaan is considered the mastermind of the twin bombing last week. The WesMinCom disclosed that his group is still in Sulu.
“Continous ang operation natin. Walang let up hanggang hindi sila napapatay (Our operation is ongoing. There is no let up until they are killed),” Vinluan stated.
Vinluan added that provinces covered by the WesMinCom are considered peaceful but the military is prepared for a possible spillover of bombings in Sulu. Authorities are still searching for the remains of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the emir of ISIS in the country. The military believes he was killed in an encounter last July.
Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said they “are calling on the Coast Guard in tandem with our Navy, Marina or the PNP to work together to secure” our maritime borders, coastlines, and inland waterways. – Report from Bea Bernardo
