TEN civilian members of an anti-terror group, armed with several firearms who were attempting to enter the premises of Camp Aguinaldo, were held for questioning early dawn Monday.
Col. Edgard Arevalo, head of the AFP’s Public Affairs Office, said the 10 persons held for interrogation were members of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, whom he cited as a group against terrorism.
Arevalo said the group was led by one Danie Pagalan, the group’s supposed intelligence chief, along with their members: Alvin Simhabon, Rolando Mahusay, alias Kumander Melody, Dioscoro Danis, James Iwayan, Butch Galimba, Rico Giducos, Ramil Perata, Rundy Pderes and Pascua Dizon, alias Kumander Haslim.
He said the 10, on board a private van, were stopped by a security personnel at Gate 6 after noticing that the occupants were all wearing black t-shirts with identical logos and design.
“What caught the attention of the duty personnel at the gate is that all the occupants of the said vehicle are all wearing back t-shirts with identical logos and design,” Arevalo said.
“When they were asked by the duty guard if they are soldiers, they said they were not. Then they were asked if they were carrying guns and outrightly they said yes,” Arevalo added.
But when requested to present their authority to possess firearms or exemption from the Commission on Elections the group failed to show pertinent documents showing legality for them to carry firearms.
Shortly thereafter, the 10 were taken into custody by security guards manning the gate.
Recovered from them were 5 pistols consisting 2 homemade cal. 45 and 3 ca. 9mm and 7 magazines with 47 ca .99mm and 26 ca. 45 ammunitions, and identification cards of still unknown authority and source.
Arevalo said the 10 were on their way to the Office of Defense Secretary Defin Lorenzana purportedly to present their letter requesting accreditation.
However, upon verification at the office of Lorenzana relating to the group’s claim, it turned out that the civilian anti-terror group had no prior appointment with the said office.
Arevalo said the 10 persons were turned over to the PNP Station for proper disposition.
“We commend the guards on duty under the leadership of Col. John Dominic Pulido, the Camp Commander, for their vigilance and appropriate action taken as required under the circumstances,” Arevalo said.
The AFP is enforcing strict security in all military camps nationwide following the continuing battle in Marawi City.