AFP still to monitor any Maute Group presence in Metro Manila

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21): AFP still to monitor any Maute Group presence in Metro Manila

Despite earlier announcement made by the law enforcement community, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday announced that it is still to monitor any presence of the Maute Group in Metro Manila.

The AFP issued this statement after the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday night arrested alleged Maute Group member Nasip Ibrahim, 35, married, a native of Marawi City and presently residing at No. 31-Libyan St., Salaam Compound, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.

"We don't know what the PNP's basis for them to say that the Maute Group already has presence in Metro Manila," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

"But we would like to ask the people to remain vigilant and always support security forces in efforts of neutralizing the enemy. Let us help one another because security is everybody's concern," he added.

The AFP official stressed that they need public support in addressing the security concerns raised by the Maute Group, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Lanao Del Sur-based Ansar-Al-Khilafa.

Despite the challenges, Arevalo said operations would continue until all these groups were neutralized.

"We don"t want to put our guards down. We always assume that there is a threat," he added.

As this develops, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said the military was coordinating with the PNP on the details of the matter.

"Be assured that the AFP is always prepared to assist in the event of any contingency. For the AFP, it is not a question of "If" (any threats exist) but rather of 'When' these threats become active. Hence, the need to be prepared at all times," he added.

The AFP spokesperson stressed the military was constantly engaged in operations to defeat these terror threats and advised the public should also go on with their normal activities and must not allow such information to derail them from their normal routine.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=973539