THE Philippine National Police confirmed that it is currently monitoring the presence of terrorist groups who were able to enter the country, and an intensified manhunt operation is currently being done to track them down.
In an interview Wednesday, February 28, during a simulation exercise dubbed as Southern Storm at Abreeza Mall, PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa said their intelligence report revealed that there were terrorist groups lairing in the country.
"We have received the same information na may nakapasok pero as to the number and locations and whereabouts, ina-ascertain pa natin bineverify pa natin," he said.
The Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that 40 foreign terrorists managed to enter the country.
"Presumably na itong 40 na nakapasok sabi they are coming from the outside, dumating dito and now we presume na ito'y mga returning foreign fighters," said Dela Rosa.
He vowed to conduct manhunt operations to arrest the terrorists who plan to sow terror and hostile activities in the country. The police will also be proactive in terms of its anti-terrorism efforts, he added.
"Kung nandito sila, pahinga nalang sila, hindi mag-create ng gulo or kung mag create ng gulo, they will be in difficult situation," he said.
He assured the public that they will be on top of the security situation and will be relentless in tracking down the location and identity of the suspected terrorist.
"So minomonitor natin at pag nalaman natin kung nasaan sila, hindi na tayo maghihintay pa. We have to act fast," he said.
The PNP called on the cooperation of the public to report to the authorities the presence of suspicious personalities in their localities.