CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three persons, including two women who allegedly acted as spies for the Maute terrorist group, were arrested Wednesday in a raid here, police said. They were inside the house rented by Irene Romato Idris in Barangay Macasandig, this city, at about 4:30 in the morning on Wednesday. Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police, said Idris, who eluded arrest, was a distant relative of Ominta “Farhana” Romato-Maute, the mother of Maute Group leaders Omarkhayam and Abdullah. With the help of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute members have been fighting government troops in Marawi City for more than a month. Hortillosa said the newly arrested suspects could be charged with rebellion and illegal possession of explosives.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 05, 2017 05:15 UTC