3 Maute terrorists nabbed in Lanao del Sur town

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Authorities arrested on Wednesday three members of the Maute terror group in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur.

 

Apao Dimacaling, Alex Braad and Kalal Berongan yielded rocket-propelled grenades, materials for improvised explosive devices and a grenade launcher when Army and police personnel raided their lair in Barangay Gacap.

 

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Thursday the joint operation of the Lanao del Sur provincial police and the Army's 103rd Brigade that led to their arrest was assisted by local officials in Piagapo.

 

"We also ought to express gratitude too to the vigilant Maranao religious and traditional elders there for helping locate them," Mijares said.

 

Mijares and Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division both said local officials have confirmed that the three men belong to the Maute terror group that laid siege to Marawi City from May to October last year.

 

Dimacaling, Braad and Berongan are now in the custody of the Lanao del Sur provincial police.

 

Mijares said they will be prosecuted for possession of explosives.