Suspects elude arrest in CIDG raid on Maute hideout

Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 10 raided 3 houses in Villa Candida subdivision in Barangay Bulua which are believed to be hideouts for members of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI), a local terrorist cell with links to ISIS.

Confiscated during the raid were two pieces of detonating cord, two safety fuses, an electric blasting cap, about a kilo of ammonium nitrate, and various bags which were said to be components for making an improvised explosive device (IEDs). Caliber .45 and .380 pistols with live ammunition, as well as a grenade, were also confiscated during the raid. A flag of ISIS was also found at one of the houses.

Lieutenant Colonel Cholijun Caduyac, CIDG-10 regional chief, said the raid was the result of surveillance conducted by CIDG members monitoring the movement and presence of the Dawlah Islamiyah group, the former name of the Maute Group founded by Omar and Abdullah Maute.

Caduyac identified two individuals who had eluded authorities during the implementation of search warrants. These were Abdul Rahman Ampang, alias “Hodifa,” and Abdul Jalil Saruang.

“The owner of the house is their aunt,” Caduyac explained.

Caduyac said it couldn’t be discounted the suspects may be on a bombing mission and this city could be their comfort zone.

“They can blend with the community, and we know for a fact that in Villa Candida, many of our brother Maranao lives there,” Caduyac said.

“During our surveillance, we found out that they really have activities for their group,” Caduyac added.

Caduyac said the suspects could be remnants of the Maute group. The group led the Marawi Siege from May 23 to November 16, 2017, with the siege laying waste to half of Marawi City and displacing close to 200,000 residents of the city and nearby municipalities of Lanao del Sur.

Caduyac said that Ampang is a member of the core group Dawlah Islamiya-Lanao (DI-Lanao) and are allegedly on bombing missions or possibly preparing to target mostly military or PNP camps or offices, including other vital government installations.

“They (DI) possessed high powered firearms and were in control of IED components and explosives.” Caduyac said.

Three persons were taken by the CIDG-10 for questioning but were released afterwards since they were not on the target list.

Dawlah Islamiya operates between the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Philippine Army 2nd Mechanized Brigade commander Brigadier General Facundo Palafox IV said DI remains a security threat in both provinces.

“We are doing sustained military operations against the remnants of this local terrorist group and there will be no let-up against them,” Palafox said. – Rappler.com