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BEIRUT / AP
A leader of suspected sympathizers of the IS group was killed on Thursday in a clash with Philippine police in the south, raising fears that his brutal group may retaliate by attacking a huge Catholic procession in Manila next week. Senior Supt. Leonardo Suan and other officials said Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, leader of a small but violent extremist group called Ansar Al Khilafah Philippines, died in the shootout before dawn in southern Sarangani Province’s Kiamba town.
Three of Maguid’s followers were arrested in the shooting near a beach resort that happened after police went to check reports from civilians about the presence of armed men, said Suan, deputy director for operations of the regional police.
National police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Maguid’s remaining followers and militant allies may retaliate, possibly by trying to attack the annual procession of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ, called the Black Nazarene, in Manila on Monday.
As part of added security for the procession, which is expected to draw millions of Filipino devotees, Dela Rosa announced a gun ban and ordered more policemen to be deployed to secure the huge religious event.
“We haven’t monitored any (threat) so far but we expect some retaliation coming from the IS-inspired groups,” Dela Rosa said during a news conference. “With or without the threat, we have to make sure that nothing will happen. Let’s make sure that the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene will be a hard target.”