Man posing as Maute terrorist nabbed for threatening to bomb public market in Davao City

He is known as a swindler and extortionist. PHOTO: ABS-CBN News
He is known as a swindler and extortionist. PHOTO: ABS-CBN News

A 41-year-old man was arrested after threatening to bomb the Bangkerohan Public Market at Davao City over the weekend.

Gary Ortiz introduced himself as Abu Asma, a member of the Maute terrorist group who is locked in an armed battle with government troops in Marawi City that has left nearly 400 dead.

“Itinuro niya ang mukha umano niya sa tarpaulin ng mga wanted terrorist. Sabi niya, Maute siya,” said vendor Sangle Dima.

(He pointed at his face on a tarpaulin of wanted terrorists. He said he’s a Maute.)

Senior Insp. Bienvenedo Cuison said that Ortiz is not a terrorist, but has the reputation of being a swindler and extortionist in the area.

Ortiz admitted he just wanted to scare the vendors and swindle money, reports ABS-CBN News.

In his defense, Ortiz says he was just drunk. He claims that he does not recall making the claims.

The Roxas night market in Davao City was bombed by suspected Maute group members last September 2016. Fourteen people were killed and 70 others were injured in the bombing that prompted the president to place the country under a “state of emergency.”

Ortiz will be charged for violating Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.



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