(Eagle News) — The whole country has been placed under terror alert level 3, after police presented two of five suspects who were involved in the failed bomb try in Manila, particularly near the United States Embassy along Roxas boulevard.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said that this means that there would be mobile checkpoints all over the country, but clarified that this does not mean that the public should be scared of going out and enjoying the holidays.
“Alerto lang tayo,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame in Quezon City where the two bomb suspects were presented.
His advise to the public is “to be vigilant, to be alert, to be cautious.” “But don’t panic, enjoy (the holidays),” he said.
The PNP chief identified the two suspects as Rashid Kilala, 34, and Jiaher Guinar, 30.
Rashid was arrested in Bulacan where he was already an imam, while Jiaher Guinar had a cellphone business in Navotas.
“Gamit na gamit na triggering device ng IED (improvised explosive devices) ang mga cellphones,” Dela Rosa said.
He said that the two would be charged with “conspiracy to commit terrorism.”
Three other suspects have gone to Marawi as the Maute group needed reinforcement because of the government operations against them.
Dela Rosa said that the initial target was in Rizal Park, but that the suspects transferred the IED near the US embassy after it failed to detonate.
“They were trying to detonate the bomb sa Luneta, tapos dinala nila yung bomba sa Roxas Boulevard.
Toyota Revo yung kinargahan nila,” he said.
“They want to prove that they are aligned with the ISIS, hoping na ma-recognize sila at ma-accept sila,” he said.
Dela Rosa said the operation of the suspects was part of the Ansar al-Khilafah in the Philippines which is in turn aligned with the Maute group.
Their motive for planting the bomb near the US Embassy was to divert the government’s attention from Lanao del Sur where there is an intensified offensive against the Maute group, the PNP chief said.
He said Rashid initially admitted his involvement in the bomb try. More details were extracted from the two later on.