No terrorist threat monitored in Metro Manila – Garcia

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 12): No terrorist threat monitored in Metro Manila – Garcia

The government has not monitored any terrorist threat in Metro Manila despite the arrest of a top official of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the metropolis.

National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said Khair Mundos was merely hiding in the capital prior to his arrest by authorities.

“This should not send a negative message to the international community. On the contrary, this is an accomplishment of our intelligence community and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Garcia said.

“We checked and double-checked if he was planning any attacks in Metro Manila and we found no threat. He was simply lying low here in the capital after escaping pursuit in Mindanao,” he added.

Last Wednesday, Mundos, who supposedly facilitated the transfer of funds from the Al-Qaeda network to the Abu Sayyaf Group, was arrested by security forces in his hideout in Parañaque City.

Mundos, who has been on a US government terrorist list for years, faces charges of multiple murders. He was arrested in 2004 but escaped detention in 2007.

The US State Department offered a reward of $500,000 for his capture.

http://www.mb.com.ph/no-terrorist-threat-monitored-in-metro-manila-garcia/