Suspect in plot to kidnap Kris Aquino, launch attacks in NCR nabbed

From GMA News (May 1): Suspect in plot to kidnap Kris Aquino, launch attacks in NCR nabbed

Intelligence operatives have arrested a suspected terrorist involved in the plot to kidnap presidential sister Kris Aquino and plan to launch bomb attacks in Metro Manila.

Arrested was Reynaldo Vasquez Ilao, a resident of Block 5, Lot 42, Zenia Street, Elvinda Village in Barangay Nueva, San Pedro, Laguna.

Joint members of the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines arrested Ilao during a raid at his house last April 26.

Seized from the suspect was a .45-caliber pistol and a grenade.

Intelligence operatives are also looking for possible information from a mobile phone seized from the suspect.

Authorities said Ilao is part of a group led by Rajah Sulayman Movement leader Mikhail Abrera alias Abdul Asiz, who was arrested in a police checkpoint in Zamboanga City last April 16.

Sources told GMA News that Ilao and Abrera were directly involved in the plot to launch bombings in Metro Manila and kidnap the sister of President Benigno Aquino III.

In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, President Aquino revealed the alleged plots to kidnap his sister or "one of her children" and Manny Pacquiao.

“As part of their effort to gain favor with ISIS, one of the ASG leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, through his cohorts in prison, has tried to convert other prisoners in New Bilibid Prison to their cause and establish ties with remnants of the Rajah Sulayman Movement purportedly in an attempt to embark on a bombing campaign in Metro Manila,” President Aquino said.

“They allegedly even hatched plots to kidnap Manny Pacquiao or one of his children, as well as my sister Kris or one of her children, with the plan to use them in bargaining for the release of their cohorts.

Threats against my own life have been investigated,” he added.

Aquino released the statement following the beheading of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel, a former mining executive who was captured along with three other people in September 2015 while on vacation on Samal Island in Davao del Norte. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/564609/news/regions/suspect-in-plot-to-kidnap-kris-aquino-launch-attacks-in-ncr-nabbed