Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — Authorities on Wednesday arrested three suspected Maute financiers and supporters in Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, where they also seized explosives and other materials used in making improvised explosive devices.
Members of the Martial Law Special Action Group raided a house rented by a certain Irene Romato Idris in Aluba, where they arrested Monaliza Solaiman Romato, Gazim Mantawazi Abdullah, and Tahera Romato Taher.
They also confiscated explosives and other weapons, including four M203 grenades (40mm HE), a C4 explosive, eight detonating cords, and suspected ammonium nitrate placed inside a plastic bag and bottle.
Police said the operation targeted Idris, who earlier evaded the authorities.
Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II said Idris and Romato allegedly assumed the task of the Maute matriarch Ominta Romato Maute alias “Farhana,” after she was arrested June 9. He added Romato is the niece of Farhana.
“Target of the search kay si Irene nga maoy nipuli nga financier sa Maute. Accordingly, si Monaliza pag-umangkon ni Farhana,” Hortillosa said
[Translation: Target of the search was Irene who took over as financier of the Maute. Accordingly, Monaliza was the niece of Farhana.]
Hortillosa said the arrested suspects may have escaped Lanao area right after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial Law in the entire Mindanao. He added the three are not in the arrest orders issued by the Department of National Defense.
Initial investigation disclosed that the group planned the alleged bombing plot in the city to possibly divert the attention of the military fighting the ISIS-linked terrorists in Marawi City.
Hortillosa said location of the three arrested suspects was disclosed by suspected Maute members which are now under custody.
“Basi kini sa information nga nabutyag sa katong suspected bomber nga si Noaim Maute ug katong tulo nga nadakpan sa Coast Guard sa Iloilo port,” Hortillosa said.
[Translation: The information came from the suspected bomber Mohammad Noaim Maute who was arrested in Cagayan de Oro, and the other three arrested by the Coast Guard in Iloilo port]
He added the suspects are now detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group inside the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said both Monaliza and Ominta Romato are part of a financial network.
“Itong si Monaliza ang siyang kumatawan bilang matriarch ng mga Maute, kaya po siya natukoy dito sa lugar. At bukod dito, si Farhana, yung nanay, ay kabilang sa isang financial network ng Maute terrorist group, na siyang sumusuporta dito sa rebelyon na ito,” Padilla said.
[Translation: Monaliza was identified in the area because she became the Maute matriarch. Farhana is also a part of the Maute terrorist group’s financial network, which supports the rebellion.]
Padilla added while investigation on the financial network is still ongoing, the Maute group may be linking to foreign groups that give them monetary support.
