AUTHORITIES alerted policemen especially those manning checkpoints to be on the lookout for seven vehicles associated with extremists fighting government forces in Marawi City.
In a memorandum issued by the Maritime group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte dated June 2, authorities have alerted shipping lines for the possible exit of these vehicles via Roll-on/Roll-off (Roro) ships and port terminals.
According to the memorandum, the vehicles are believed to be carrying improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao, confirmed that prior to the issuance of the memorandum, the same information was already circulating within the police organization.
Gonda said the Special Action Force (SAF) in Lanao del Sur notified the PNP of the suspected vehicles on May 24, the day after president Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao.
"Suspected vehicles ni sa Maute group in case naay makita, ma-inspect kini. Sa wala pa nang memo sa maritime naa nay text ana sa PNP gikan sa SAF-Lanao del Sur," Gonda said.
Gonda said the vehicles are now being monitored but the police officer declined to disclose details so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations by field units.
The PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesman added authorities already hold the identities of the owners of the vehicles and are subject for validation over possible connections with the terror group.
Gonda urged the public to personally report to authorities or via text through PRO-Northern Mindanao hotline 0917-631-1813/0915-303-3072 should any suspicious is spotted.
"Awareness ni sa public especially kung moagi ni sa mga terminals kay mo-exit or bisan sa kadalanan ug ireport dayon sa kapolisan or media para maaksyonan diretso," Gonda said.