State forces discovered Monday at least PHP79 million (about USD1,598,704) in cash and checks in a house in Marawi City after retaking a stronghold of the Maute fighters they have been battling since last month.
The Philippine Marines first found PHP52.2 million (USD1,193,969) in cash at a house located near the extremists’ machine gun nest in the Mapandi area.
Of this amount, PHP52 million (USD1,052,312) was wrapped in plastic bundles while PHP200,000 (USD40,473) was stashed in envelopes.
P79-M in cash, checks found in fallen Maute stronghold https://t.co/X7YVDtZ3Wl #MarawiClash pic.twitter.com/tSDuX7rXoE
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) June 5, 2017
The troops then found checks worth PHO27 million (USD546,392)in the same house, bringing the total amount of the haul to PHP79 million.
Authorities said the owner of the house was likely among the 200,000 residents who fled from Marawi after Maute and other bandit groups attacked the city on May 23.
Investigators are now looking into the cash and check’s paper trail to confirm if the money is connected to terrorist operations.
President Duterte earlier said that Maute terrorists are being funded by foreign terror groups and illegal drug money.
The fighting in Marawi has prompted Duterte to place the entire Mindanao island under martial rule.
A presidential spokesman said 120 militants have died in the battle, along with 38 government forces. The authorities have put the civilian death toll at between 20 and 38.
This story first appeared on ABS-CBN News and is re-published with permission.
