Police nab 2 suspected terrorists in Luzon raids ahead of SEA Games

Calabarzon cops have arrested two suspected terrorists in two separate anti-terror operations in Tayabas town in Quezon province and in Calamba, Laguna in southern Luzon, three weeks ahead of the 30th SEA Games.

Quoting authorities, GMA News TV's Balitanghali Weekend on Saturday identified the suspect arrested in Tayabas as Saidie Saro.

Seized from the sari-sari store owned by Saro were a hand grenade, live ammunition, and an improvised explosive device (IED).

Saro has denied allegations that he is a member of an international terrorist group, and that the items cops had seized do not belong to him.

In the town of Calamba, meanwhile, lawmen collared suspect Bobby Gabunatan Sarip, who police said yielded an IED and a cellular phone.

Sarip has declined to give any comment.

According to the police, both suspects were found in possession of an ISIS flag.

Security forces are still determining which ISIS subgroups the two belong.

Police claimed that intelligence information indicated that ISIS members in the country are planning to sow terror during SEA Games events hosted by the Philippines, and are scheduled to start in late in November. —LBG, GMA News