4 Maute militants fall

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Four members of the Maute group were arrested in a raid in Lanao del Sur on Thursday, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) reported yesterday.

Members of Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga peninsula, Lanao) collared Pao Panganga, alias Pao Faizal; Alex Areg Bagul, Alisata Tumao Maute and Saadra Macapanton Madayan at around 3 a.m.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom spokesperson, said three high-powered firearms, a hand gun, improvised explosive devices and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the suspects.

The group is tagged in the kidnapping of Omira Lotao, an employee of the Mindanao State University in Marawi, on March 5 and the killing of Superintendent Abner Wahab Santos, former Marawi police director.

Petinglay said the militants are also  involved in contract killing, carjacking, extortion and illegal drugs.