MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said the suspected Indonesian terrorist arrested in Marawi City is currently in Manila and now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the PNP.
AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. and deputy commander of the Joint Task Force Ranao Col. Romeo Brawner confirmed that 23-year-old foreign fighter Muhammad Ilham Syahputra is now in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“As of now, nasa kustodiya siya ng PNP. Naniniwala kami na magpa-file ng case... (He is under the custody of PNP. We believe that they would file a case). I don't know if they've already done that,” Brawner said in a radio interview with dzBB.
Syahputra underwent inquest proceedings at the PNP. He was charged for violation of Republic Act 134 (Rebellion), RA10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulatory Act), RA 9516 (Explosive Act), and RA 9581 (International Humanitarian Law)
The suspect is believed to be a terrorist belonging the Islamic State-inspired Maute group. He was arrested by the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in Barangay Loksadatu in Marawi City on Wednesday.
Padilla said he was arrested due to the vigilance of the assistance team of the village.
“Nahuli ang Indonesian terrorist nang hindi makapagsalita ng diretsong Maranao, mukhang gutom, nagbabalak tumakas kahina-hinala ang pagkilos (The Indonesian was arrested as he cannot speak straight Maranao, he looks hungry and appears to plan escaping with suspicious actions,)” Padilla said over a dzRH interview.
Syahputra claimed there were still up to 39 stragglers left in the battle area.
READ: Indonesian ISIS: 39 Mautes still in Marawi
Padilla said he is not aware if Syahputra has a cellphone but he has a passport under a different person’s name in his possession.
Asked if there are threats from the alleged remaining Maute group members, Padilla said they could still be dangerous.