NBI arrests Marawi vice mayor for murder

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation with Marawi Vice Mayor Annouar Romuros Abedin Abdulrauf. Photo from the National Bureau of Investigation

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said it arrested Marawi Vice Mayor Annouar Romuros Abedin Abdulrauf for murder.

According to the NBI, Abdulrauf—who the NBI noted was using the alias “Anouar A. Abdulrauf” to avoid arrest—was arrested at the Hall of Justice in Marawi City after a flag-raising ceremony at the Marawi City Hall.

The NBI said the vice mayor was arrested under the guidance of NBI Director Jaime Santiago and upon a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) him for murder and attempted murder.

The said cases were filed by the wife of the slain Lapit Sultan, where a witness in the case positively identified the vice mayor as the same accused in the cases.

“The killing of the victim happened during a legitimate service of a Search Warrant for violation of RA 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act) by NBI CID-IS in Tala, Caloocan City in 2013,” said the NBI.

READ: DOJ sets probe of Marawi vice mayor

“The NBI operatives were already implementing the Search Warrant when a group of armed individuals led by the subject opened fire at the operatives, killing the victim and wounding others,” it added.

Meanwhile, other co-accused in the cases are still being hunted by the NBI.