Malacañang orders PNP to be doubly alert vs Abu Sayyaf; to clean ranks

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Malacañang has ordered the Philippine National Police to double its vigilance and be alert against the Abu Sayyaf after the relationship between a police official and an Abu Sayyaf member came out in the open.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the relationship between Police Superintendent Cristina Nobleza with Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Renierlo Dongon constituted a national security nightmare.

“The arrest of PSupt. Maria Cristina Brugada Nobleza, who was assigned at the PNP (Philippine National Police) Crime Lab of [Regional Office] 11 underlines the need for vigilance in the campaign for peace within our borders,” Abella said in a statement.

Nobleza was arrested with Dongon in a military checkpoint in Bohol on Saturday, April 22.

“The President is firm and decisive in the fight against terrorism. He has ordered government troops to carry out sustained, focused and intense operations to put an end to lawless and gruesome acts of violence,” Abella said

According to reports, Nobleza and Dongon were transferred to the PNP General Headquarters in Camp Crame on Tuesday morning.