Davao City jail was placed under high alert following intelligence reports of a plot to free Maute inmates detained there.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Davao Chief said security around the facility was heightened to frustrate this plan to free the five Maute Group members, who are suspects in the Davao City night market bombing last September that claimed the lives of 15 people and injured 69 others.
The Davao City jail has a total of 3,351 inmates, including Abu Sayyaf militants, communist rebels and political advocates.
Gen. ‘Bato’ warns of attacks to divert government’s attention from Marawi
Philippine National Police Director General Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also confirmed that the remaining Maute fighters rallied its allies to stage attacks in other parts of Mindanao.
“Ang Maute ang nag-request sa kanilang ISIS-inspired groups like Abu Sayyaf na gumawa kayo ng pag-atake para lumuwag sa Marawi,” Dela Rosa said.
He warned that these attacks are diversionary tactics to divert the government’s attention from Marawi, where the group has been in a fierce battle with government forces since May 23.
“May namo-monitor na ibang lugar sa Mindanao na hinihikayat ng mga naipit na Maute ‘yung kanilang kasamahan na gumawa ng pag-atake para lumuwag ang sitwasyon sa Marawi,” Dela Rosa said.