Davao police steps up security after JI's death in Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 17): Davao police steps up security after JI's death in Davao City

Davao police authorities have stepped up tight security measures following the death of a Malaysian national believed to be a member of terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) on Friday. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Ronald de la Rosa, announced during the Monday flag ceremony the conduct of round-the-clock operations of his 1,400 police personnel to secure the city. Dela Rosa also said DCPO will intensify random checkpoints in coordination with TFD, while other personnel are tasked to monitor the crowd and conduct patrol around the city.

The checkpoints will be manned by joint personnel of the DCPO and TFD while the Philippine Coast Guard personnel are tasked to tightly watch the city's seaports. Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, TFD executive officer and spokesperson, also vowed to keep their Intelligence for Defense Unit on full alert to thwart any attempt to sow chaos in the city.

Dela Rosa said the suspected terrorist who was identified as Mohd Noor Fikrie Bin Abud Kahar, was from Midsayap, North Cotabato. He was gunned down when authorities cornered him along J.Camus Street at around 10:30 p.m. Friday. His Filipina wife, Annabelle Nieva Lee, a balik-Islam from Sorsogon, was arrested. She is now detained at the Intelligence headquarters here. He said the couple checked in at Room 204 of the Sampaguita Hotel on Friday morning when the police received intelligence reports that Kahar was in possession of a bomb and was planning to attack the city. Operatives from DCPO, the Task Force Davao (TFD) and other intelligence units led the raiding team and negotiated with the hotel management for the ejection of the couple from their hotel room. They recovered improvised explosive device made of 60mm mortar, mobile phones of the couple and other "exploitable materials" which were turned over to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Davao Region. Dela Rosa said the suspect's passport showed he left Malaysia via Sabah on April 27 and arrived in the country on the next day.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded the authorities for a job well done. She said JI members were spotted in all parts of the country hence, the recent incident was not unlikely. "Based on initial information, the couple was to conduct terrorist activities. We will know more after the interrogation with the wife is done," she said.

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