4 suspected terrorists from Indonesia wanted by Philippine police

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Four Indonesian citizens are wanted by the Philippine police for their suspected involvement in the clashes in Marawi City, in the Southern Philippines. Indonesian police are monitoring 3 others and believes that even more may have joined the Maute Group’s fight in Marawi.

The 4 men are Anggara Suprayogi, Yayat Hidayat Tarli, Yoki Pratama Windyarto and Al Ikhwan Yushel. The Philippine National Police (PNP) released their names in a wanted poster earlier this week.

“The community is advised to be vigilant/observant and immediately report any suspicious persons/local terrorist to the nearest police stations,” the poster says.

According to Indonesian National Police spokesperson Martinus Sitompul, the 4 men crossed over to the Southern Philipines at different times. Windyarto arrived in the Philippines on March 3, Yushel on March 28, while Suprayogi and Tarli arrived together on April 15.

Besides the 4 already wanted by the Philippine police, Sitompul said that 3 others were being monitored by the Indonesian National Police Headquarters.

“According to Philippine Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, an Indonesian citizen with the initials MG is reported to have died in the conflict in Marawi,” Sitompul said in a text message on Wednesday, May 31.

Indonesian law enforcement believes that even more Indonesian citizens may have traveled to the Southern Philippines to join the Maute Group in the conflict in Marawi. Suhardi Alius, head of Indonesia’s National Agency for Combating Terrorism said that this development was not surprising.

“The conflict in Marawi is a magnet for radical groups from Indonesia to go there,” Alius said in a text message to Rappler.

Surrender or die

Philippine authorities on Tuesday warned Islamist militants occupying parts of Marawi to surrender or die, as attack helicopters pounded the gunmen’s strongholds where up to 2,000 residents were feared trapped.

More than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the conflict, which began last week when gunmen waving black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group rampaged through the mostly Muslim-populated city of Marawi.

“We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity,” military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said in a statement.

“For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death.”

Meanwhile, up to 2,000 residents remain trapped in areas held by the militants, according to the local government, and the International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced alarm they would be caught in the bombing raids or crossfire. —With reports from AFP, Karina Maharani, and Uni Lubis/Rapper.com