Maute ‘spies’ arrested in Cagayan de Oro raid

The military displays firearms, ammunition, personal effects and an Islamic State flag recovered from operations against Islamist militants in Sinsuat, Maguindanao. 6TH INFANTRY DIVISION PHOTO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three persons, including two women who allegedly acted as spies for the Maute terrorist group, were arrested Wednesday in a raid here, police said.

Arrested were Gazim Mantawazi Abdullah, Monaliza Solaiman Romato, and Tahera Romato Taher. They were inside the house rented by Irene Romato Idris in Barangay Macasandig, this city, at about 4:30 in the morning on Wednesday.

Romato and Taher gathered intelligence information for the Islamist group, the military said. The also acted as liaison officers for the terrorists.

The raiding team was armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Dennis Alcantar, executive judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 18 here.

The raid was witnessed by Macasandig village councilors Mario Bolanio and Eric Waban.

Seized from the suspects were four M203 grenades (40 millimeter high explosive), a blasting cap, a 9-volt battery with battery holder, a piece of C4 explosive, eight pieces detonating cords, 19 pieces 100-watt incandescent bulbs, a jungle knife, and plastic bag and plastic bottle containing suspected ammonium nitrate.

Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police, said Idris, who eluded arrest, was a distant relative of Ominta “Farhana” Romato-Maute, the mother of Maute Group leaders Omarkhayam and Abdullah.

Hortillosa said the seized items could be used for making improvised explosive devices.

With the help of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute members have been fighting government troops in Marawi City for more than a month.

Maute has pledged allegiance to the Middle East-based terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or Daesh.

Hortillosa said Idris had assumed the position of Farhana as the group’s financier after the latter was arrested while trying to escape in Lanao del Sur last month.

Citing information provided by Maute members arrested in Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo recently, Hortillosa said Idris and the three suspects were involved in the operations of the Maute, citing Monaliza and Tahera who allegedly gathered intelligence and acted as liaison officers of the group.

Mohammad Noaim Maute, alias Abu Jadid and Alfaiz Mamintal was nabbed in a house he rented in Barangay Macasandig, this city, on June 15. He was believed to be a bomb expert.

Three other suspected members of the terrorist group were apprehended in Iloilo on June 18.

Hortillosa said the newly arrested suspects could be charged with rebellion and illegal possession of explosives. They are detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters. CBB