Phl envoy sends intel on 5 militants

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur has sent an intelligence packet regarding the five suspected militants arrested recently in Mindanao.

Ambassador Eduardo Malaya said the Royal Malaysian Police shared the intelligence information revealing the names and other details of the five individuals who initially identified themselves as Filipinos.

“Three of them have permanent residency status in Malaysia,” Malaya revealed.

“These information have been forwarded by the embassy to Philippine security and intelligence agencies for verification and determination as to their possible links with militants in Mindanao,” he added.

Malaya did not reveal the names of the five people, citing security reasons.

“Philippine and Malaysian authorities have close working relations, including on counterterrorism matters, and the embassy expects continuing collaboration with Malaysian authorities on the cases of these five individuals as well,” Malaya added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday the embassy in Kuala Lumpur requested further information from the Royal Malaysian Police on the alleged link of the five arrested individuals with militants in Mindanao.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the embassy also asked for details on the nationalities of the five arrested.

Based on initial information received from the Royal Malaysian Police, the DFA said none of the five had Philippine passports or other identity documents in their possession. 

Malaysian police said on Monday they had arrested seven people, including five Filipinos, for suspected links to the Islamic State.

More than 250 people were arrested in Malaysia between 2013 and 2016 over suspicions of links to the IS.

Most of the arrests were made during an operation in Sabah earlier this month.