Metro Manila is safe despite Maute patriarch's transfer, says AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila remains safe, the military said Friday, amid concerns over the transfer of the Maute clan patriarch to a jail facility in Taguig City.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the public should not overreact to the transfer of Cayamora Maute to Camp Bagong Diwa as security measures are in place to prevent untoward incidents.

READ: AFP prepared for retaliatory attacks after Maute patriarch's transfer

“Let us not overreact to this. The decision to move our high-value prisoners has basis. The security here is better than the one in the areas under martial law,” Padilla said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“We have the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) itself located in the same area. We have the JTF (Joint Task Force)-NCR assisting the NCRPO, and all other agencies that are continuously monitoring and ensuring that the National Capital Region is safe,” he added.

Padilla said the transfer of Maute and his companions would also allow security forces in Marawi to focus on the terrorist threats in the area.

“Hopefully, the transfer will help our forces in Mindanao to focus on what they are doing rather than look after these prisoners,” the military spokesman said.

“Here in Manila, we have institutions. Our security posture is in place and it is getting better each day… So what I would want to convey to the public is trust your security forces to do their job, and let us not overreact,” he added.

Cayamora Maute, the father of Maute group founders Abdullah and Omar, and three others were arrested in a checkpoint in Davao City. Also nabbed were Kongan Alfonso Balawag, his second wife, Norjannah Balawag Maute, his daughter, and Bengali Tinglao, his son-in-law.

Authorities recovered a grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, P360,000 in cash and personal belongings during the arrest.

On Thursday, Eastern Mindanao Command deputy commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said security forces are prepared for retaliatory attacks related to the arrest of Maute. He said the military is not discounting the possibility that the Maute terrorists may try to rescue Cayamora.

“We haven’t received direct reports on plots to rescue but if we look at how the Maute group operates, there was an instance when they rescued ordinary members of the group in Marawi. What more Cayamora, who is the head of the clan. It's not a remote possibility here in Davao while he is detained here,” Cayamora said in a press briefing in Davao City.

“It is for security reasons that he was transferred. He is the patriarch, the head of the Maute clan and as such, is considered a high value individual and a high risk individual,” he added.