Two alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group were arrested in an operation in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, over the weekend, an official said Monday.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde identified the suspects as Arnel Cabintoy alias Abu Musab, a native of Nagtupakan village in Lagangilang, Abra, and Feliciano Sulayao alias Abu Muslim, a native of Cagripa village in Calbayog City, Northern Samar.
Both suspects yielded blasting caps and grenades when arrested last Saturday, and both have undergone inquest proceedings for illegal possession of explosives.
Albayalde said there was no direct evidence yet that would link the suspects to any terrorist activity in Metro Manila.
“Although there is no direct evidence linking them to any terrorist activity in Metro Manila, an investigation is under way to uncover the circumstances surrounding their presence in the city to possibly identify the persons who provided them sanctuary,” Albayalde told reporters.
Both are Islam converts who joined the Dawlah Islamiya Philippines under Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who assumed the leadership of the terrorist group on the death of Isnilon Hapilon at the height of the siege of Marawi City.