Maute militants nabbed at CDO checkpoint
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Two alleged Maute militants were arrested at a checkpoint in this city on Wednesday afternoon, police said yesterday.
Eyadzhemar Abdusalam, 26, and Catherine Dianne Palmitos, were arrested in Sitio Baloy, Barangay Tablon at about 4:50 p.m.
The suspects, who are reportedly nurses from General Santos City, yielded two fragmentation grenades and a caliber .45 pistol.
Police said the suspects are members of an Islamic State (IS) cell based in General Santos City who ”came under the radar of the intelligence community during the Marawi siege.”
The suspects reportedly sent medical supplies to Maute militants at the height of the fighting in Marawi.
Abdusalam also allegedly planned to attack the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo early this year.
Authorities said they also received reports that suspects planned to attack other cities.
Intelligence operatives said Abdusalam was monitored recruiting foreigners with links to the IS and solicited financial assistance to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
“He even instigated some foreigners to carry out lone wolf attacks in their respective countries, including an individual in the UK, who was arrested in May for planning to carry out an attack,” a police report stated.
The suspects face charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
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