3 Maute suspects caught in Iloilo City charged in CDO
MANILA – Three suspected members of the Maute terrorist group arrested at the port of Iloilo City on Sunday were slapped with rebellion charges in court in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday.
Farida Pangompig Romato, Aljadid Pangompig Romato alias Hadid and Abdulrahman Serad Dimakatuh were indicted before the Misamis Oriental Regional Trial Court after undergoing inquest proceedings.
The three were aboard a Manila- bound ship from Cagayan de Oro City when they were intercepted by authorities at the Iloilo City port. They were immediately sent back to Cagayan de Oro.
“The accused willfully, feloniously help, support, finance, promote, maintain, cause, direct and have risen publicly and taken arms to establish an Islamic State in Mindanao,” the charge sheet read.
Earlier t his week, 12 members and supporters of the terrorist group arrested in a hospital in Pagadian City were also slapped with rebellion charges before the same court.
The Maute group, also known as the Islamic State of Lanao, is a radical group composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and some foreign fighters.
The Maute group, which has pledged its allegiance to ISIS, launched an attack against government troops in Marawi City on May 23. This forced President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the entire island of Mindanao./