By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
The sub-leader of the Maute group arrested in Manila over the weekend had no plans of wreaking havoc in the country’s capital in the first place, Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said on Monday.
According to Dela Rosa, Abdul Nasser Lomondot had actually gone to the country’s capital to elude government security forces who were after him in Mindanao.
Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District director, said Lomondot had a hand in the takeover of Marawi in May last year.
“He was one of those who were fortunate enough to escape the entrapment operations being conducted by the military and in November, he transferred to Lanao del Sur going to Cagayan de Oro…,” Coronel said.
Dela Rosa said Lomondot was in Manila since January of this year.
“(It was) not to create havoc but to seek refuge dahil nga naipit sila sa Mindanao..,” Dela Rosa said.
Lomondot and his partner Raisalam were nabbed by authorities on CM Recto, Divisoria on Saturday, at 5:10 p.m.
According to authorities, he had tried to detonate a grenade from his bag.
His partner, for her part, created a ruckus to prevent authorities from arresting Lomondot, the police said.
Recovered from Lomondot was a cal. 45 pistol and a hand grenade.
According to Dela Rosa, charges for illegal possession of firearms will be filed against the couple.
“Ang impact nito we were able to send the message to the Maute that you can run but you can’t hide. The long arm of the law will catch up with you,” Dela Rosa said.
