Mautes’ land buying alarms Iligan residents

ILIGAN CITY: The recent spate of land buying by wealthy members of the Maute clan here has alarmed the city government and residents who are also saying that internally displaced persons (IDPs) may be occupying public lands.

Iligan city mayor Celso Regencia purchased two large houses in his said he has received intelligence village prompting the council to reports that Maranaos with family institute tighter security measures. “From our consultations, Ilito have purchased properties in at gan residents are also afraid that least four villages, particularly in IDPs might occupy public lands Tomas Cabili, Tubod, Tambacan located in other parts of the city,” and San Miguel. Regencia added.

Several Maute who are MaThe mayor’s office has issued ranaos have also rented choice a cease and desist order for IDPs apartments in the areas menfound in the present evacuation tioned, raising concern among centers in Iligan enjoining them to the residents, Regencia said. refrain from occupying public lands.

Cesarve Siacor, Barangay ToA number of Maranao IDPs have mas Cabili chairman and ABC returned to the remaining evacua(Association of Barangay Chairtion centers in the towns of Baloi men) president, said the Mautes in Lanao del Norte and Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City.

“A large portion have remained with host families in Iligan, Marawi, Lanao del Sur and Lanao de Norte,” said Salic Ibrahim, chief non-governmental organization servicing IDPs.

“Maranaos have been buying properties in Iligan for many years. It is not surprising that the wealthy families would purchase land and homes today,” said Laddie Marohombsar, a long- time resident of Iligan and employee of Mindanao State University.

What is alarming is that the 11 properties Maranaos recently bought in four barangay [villages] in Iligan are under the name of a Maute,” Regencia said.

Senor Supt. Leony Roy Ga, Iligan chief of police, said the Philippine National Police is closely monitoring the movement of people in the properties the Maute clan reportedly purchased.

Maute widow’s case

Meanwhile, Iligan Deputy City Prosecutor Celso Sarsava said the lawyers of Maute widow Minhati motions that the court has not yet resolved.

Midrais was arrested last year in her rented house in Tubod where the police reportedly found four blasting caps, two detonating cords and a one-time fuse.

manifestation waiving her right to present evidence.

“The schedule for the arraignment of Madrais will be set in Branch 3 as soon as the court resolves the motions,” Sarsava added.

Omarkhayam Maute, who was tagged as an Islamic State-supporter terrorist, was killed in the war in Marawi last October.

Iligan has tightened its crossborder checkpoints within the Iligan-Marawi corridor.