DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A military official on Thursday said that a suspected bomber of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-linked Maute group was arrested in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, June 15.
In a statement on Thursday, Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay, spokesperson of Martial Law implementation in Eastern Mindanao, identified the suspect as Mohammad Noaim Maute alias Abu Jadid.
Gapay said Maute was arrested around 7 am on Thursday in his rented house in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Macasandig, Cagayan De Oro City.
“His arrest came after a concerned citizen informed the presence of a person who has a resemblance of Abu Jadid who is included in a photo gallery posted all over Mindanao,” Gapay said.
Maute was an Arabic teacher in Marawi City. He was also suspected to be a bomb expert of the Maute Group who uses fake student identification of Mindanao State University under the name Alfaiz P. Mamintal to conceal his identity.
“During the initial investigation however, he admitted that he is Mohammad Maute, a cousin of the Maute brothers. He is presently detained in Cagayan De Oro City Police and undergoing legal process,” Gapay said.
Maute was arrested by virtue of Arrest Order No. 1 signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, on May 29, 2017
“Eastern Mindanao Command expresses its appreciation to the support of the people, for the information they gave that led to the arrest of Mohammad Maute,” Gapay said. (davaotoday.com)
