MANILA, Philippines —Three suspected members of the Islamic State-linked Daulah Islamiyah Ranao Extremists were arrested in Parañaque City and Rizal province on Friday.
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) identified the first two suspects as Norodin Abolkhair Manalinding and Cairo Gen Manatao Abolkhair, who were arrested at around 3:30 a.m. along Rimas Street in Barangay Baclaran in Parañaque City.
The CIDG said the two were natives of Barangay Daguduban in Marawi City. Initial investigation also showed that Manalinding was the alleged finance facilitator and recruiter of the terror group.
The two were arrested for alleged violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act; Republic Act 7166 or the Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, and; Republic Act 9516 or for illegal possession of explosives.
Police confiscated from the suspects a 9mm pistol and its magazine with nine live bullets, a fragmentation grenade, a caliber .45 pistol and its magazine with six live bullets, and a tactical backpack.
Meanwhile, another suspected member of the group identified as Tagoranao Dimaro Sarip Jr. was also arrested at around 6 a.m. at Barangay Sto. Domingo in Cainta, Rizal for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and for illegal possession of explosives.
He was allegedly a propagandist and member of the media cell of ISIS responsible in spreading propaganda for the group, according to CIDG.
Recovered from him were a caliber .45 pistol and its magazine with four live bullets, a hand grenade, a container box, a black flag believed to be a flag of ISIS, and a black sling bag. /jpv
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