A suspected sub-leader of the Islamic State-linked Maute group was arrested in Manila over the weekend, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) told reporters yesterday.
Nasser Lomondot aka Muhamad Lomondot was arrested on Saturday during a joint police and military operation in Tondo, Manila. He was found in the corner of Claro Mayo Recto Avenue and Dagupan Street with another suspected Maute member, Rizasalam Lomondot.
They have been charged with illegal possession of firearms for being caught with a hand grenade and a .45 caliber pistol.
According to the NCRPO, Nasser is linked to an attack in Marantao, Lanao Del Sur in Mindanao that happened last year while the neighboring Marawi City was still under siege. He is also suspected to be responsible for other kidnappings and killings in Lanao Del Sur.
“He also took part in the killings of innocent Christians [and] committed violence against women and children hostages,” the police said yesterday.
Marawi was attacked by the Maute group in May 2017 and remained under siege for five months, becoming a battleground for terrorists and the military and killing about 1,000 people. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao shortly after the attack; it will remain under martial law until the end of this year.
Last week, the United States Department of State added the Maute group to its list of foreign terrorists and terrorist organizations.
