2 alleged Maute Group supporters nabbed in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two alleged supporters of the Maute group were arrested by authorities at a checkpoint here late Wednesday afternoon, police said Thursday.

The police identified the two suspects as Eyadzhemar Abusalam and Dianne Palmitos. They were apprehended in Sitio Baloy in Barangay Tablon at 4:50 p.m.

The report obtained by the Inquirer said both Abusalam and Palmitos were nurses and were from General Santos City.

Police said Palmitos was an alleged “ISIS supporter and facilitator,” referring to the international terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or Daesh.

Confiscated from them were two units of MK2 fragmentation grenades and a .45 caliber pistol.

Police said the two suspects were alleged members of an ISIS cell based in General Santos who “came under the radar of the intelligence community during the Marawi Siege.”

They allegedly facilitated the delivery of medicines to the gunmen inside the city during the fighting.

Police said the suspects were also tagged as among those who plotted to carry out an attack targeting the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila early this year.

Police said Abusalam and Palmitos would be facing charges for violation of RA 9516 for illegal possession of firearms, and RA 10591 for illegal possession of explosives./lb