Two persons suspected of ISIS links arrested separately in Laguna: police

April 27, 2018

Two people suspected of having links with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were arrested in Laguna province on Thursday, police said Friday.

They were arrested during implementation of separate search warrants around 4:30 a.m.

Police said the suspects as Jimuel Dizon alias Amir and Eddie Boy Bermejo, also known as Abdullah.

In a press conference Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde said based on intelligence reports, the suspects are believed members of the Rajah Sulaiman Movement,  an extremist group composed of Christian converts to Islam.

“They are identified members of a local threat group who have pledged allegiance to ISIS and that's why they were subjected to our case buildup and surveillance operations,” said Albayalde.

Their arrest took place as the government is preparing for the 51st Asian Development Bank Board of Governors' Annual meeting set from May 2 to 6 at the ADB headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Albayalde downplayed the arrest is related to the ADB meeting where 67 finance and economic planning ministers and some 3,000 delegates will attend.

“This is a plain of simple criminal case,” said Albayalde, noting the suspects were caught in possession of firearms and explosives.

Authorities seized three .45 caliber pistols, a. 38 caliber revolver, two fragmentation grenades, a laptop, two improvised explosive devices, and assorted ammunition from the suspects. Police charged them with illegal possession of firearm and explosives.

Asked if the arrest of suspected ISIS supports in Luzon is  cause for alarm, Albayalde said otherwise.

“This is part of our target hardening and proactive measures to prevent terror attacks particularly here in Metro Manila,” he said.

An initial police report said Dizon was arrested in Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao City while Bermejo was nabbed in Barangay Tagapo, Santa Rosa City.

The operatives were composed of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

Two alleged ISIS flags were found in their homes. DMS