TERROR ALERT; PRO-6 steps up intel after arrest of Indian extremists

From Panay News (Apr 5, 2023): TERROR ALERT; PRO-6 steps up intel after arrest of Indian extremists (By GLENDA TAYONA and RUBY SILUBRICO)

ILOILO City – This city is on alert against the possible entry of terrorists, while the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has intensified its intelligence gathering after three suspected Indian terrorists were arrested in Oton, Iloilo last month.

“Report immediately to the police individuals acting suspiciously in your areas,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas urged residents.

Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director, said they are beefing up their intelligence monitoring through inter-agency collaboration.

“We need the public’s support to do this. We encourage everyone to report to the nearest PNP (Philippine National Police) unit any suspicious activities. Let us join hands in keeping Western Visayas safe to live, work and do business,” Francisco said.

Indian nationals Manpreet Singh, 23; Amritpal Singh, 24; and Arshdeep Singh, 26, were arrested by joint operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) at an apartment in an exclusive subdivision in Oton on March 7.

These alleged members of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force are being probed for their alleged ties to another Indian terrorist group Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) banned by the Indian government under its anti-terror law.

The suspects entered the country using fake passports. They evaded detection until they were tracked down by experts from the CICC, who alerted the BI and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a case conference at the National Cybercrime Hub.

The suspects are also on the Interpol Red Notice watchlist and face charges of murder, violation of the Explosive Substances Act 2001, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 of India.

Treñas said the Iloilo City Police Office’s Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team also assisted during the operation to arrest the three Indian nationals.

Police Major Fernand Limbungan, chief of the Oton Municipal Police Station, confirmed that the national authorities with the BI coordinated with them and asked for assistance for the said operation.

The Indian nationals peacefully yielded to the arresting officers, he said.

Based on the intelligence report, the suspects rented a house for four months in Oton./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/terror-alert-pro-6-steps-up-intel-after-arrest-of-indian-extremists/