Manila: Philippine police and military operatives on Sunday arrested a suspected foreign militant during a raid at a hotel in Manila.
Fehmi Lassqued, also known as John Rasheed Lassoned, was arrested together with his Filipina partner, Moncera Salipada, during a raid at an apartment in Manila’s Malate tourist district, authorities said.
Police Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa presented Lassqued in a press conference on Monday morning.
Dela Rosa identified the nationality of Lassqued as Tunisian based on the passport he was carrying but separate information from the military’s Civil Relation Service said he is a native of Syria.
The police chief said Lassqued holds a high position in the hierarchy of Daesh.
Dela Rosa said during the press briefing authorities were still confirming Lassqued’s links to foreign terrorist organisations but items confiscated from the foreigner indicated his involvement as well as that of his partner, Salipada, 32 who is from Upi, Maguindanao.
Seized from the two were a black flag of Daesh, assorted firearms and ammunition as well as components for an explosive device.
Dela Rosa said Lassqued used a fake Tunisian passport in gaining entry to the Philippines in July 2016.
Earlier, there had been reports from the military that extremist groups were plotting to mount another attack — similar to the one carried out in Marawi City last year from May 23 when clan-based Maute militants, joined by elements of the Abu Sayyaf, carried out an assault in the city.
After five months, the siege was dismantled with the killing of the group’s leaders, Omar and Abdullah Maute as well as Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf. However, the threat of similar actions remains as some of the remnants of the group, joined by foreign militants, are still in the Philippines.
In January the military with assistance from police arrested a Spanish suspected militant Abdul Hakim Labidi Adib in Basilan.
Labidi Adib was charged last February 8 with violation of Philippine laws on firearms and explosives possession.
