News Desk
Joint police and military operatives have arrested a suspected member of the Dawlah Islamiyah in a raid in his house in Batangas City, Friday.
Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, director of the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) regional police, said they also received information that Jafar Dia Abdul Nazer was linked to the Marawi City siege.
Carranza said the operation against Nazaer started from a military information that a member of the Dawlah Islamiyah has been hiding in Batangas City.
“Accordingly, members of the AFP received information that said suspect is keeping high explosives and hand grenade inside his residence,” said Carranza.
Based on the investigation as a result of police surveillance, Nazer has been hiding his identity as the owner of a cellular phone accessory shop at the Batangas City public market.
Carranza said that Nazer is affiliated with Abu Dar and Abu Zacaria, the current Amir of Dawlah Islmiyah.
It was also said that Nazer serves as intelligence officer of a the Dawlah Islamiyah in Lanao which operates in Calanugas-Pagayawan-Malabang Area all of Lanao Del Sur.
“The suspect was observed to be very evasive since he frequently transfers from one stall into another from his cellphone accessories shop,” said Carranza.
“Upon surveillance near the apartment of the suspect, he was seen carrying a black pouch inadvertently tucked on his waist containing hand grenade leaving the premises riding his black motorcycle,” he added.
Armed with a search warrant, joint police and military operatives arrested Nazer on Friday.
Seized from him were 1 1/2 pound of TNT high explosives, a grenade and a black pouch.
Authorities are now subjecting the suspect to interrogation.
