ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Updated 3:43 p.m., June 19) — Police arrested 13 suspected members of the Maute group who escaped from Marawi City in Lanao del Sur to seek treatment at a hospital in Zamboanga del Sur.
Police said the suspects, including three women, one one of whom was in critical condition, arrived at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center for treatment Friday morning.
Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Regional Police Office 9 director, said hospital staff immediately alerted police about the presence of the suspects.
Beltran said the local police investigated and confirmed the suspects came from Marawi City.
Police identified the suspects as: Junaid A Dimarugong alias Ameodin Ameril, in critical condition Racma Macatuon Talib, student; Cosnia M Talib, 63, housewife; Yusoph Taha Halil, 42; Sapacan Sabar Talib, 50, farmer, former barangay captain; Mansawi Imam Gumobat, 46, farmer; Amerodin Capga Ameril, 42, farmer; Lambo Ampaso Ameril, 42, housewife; and Huwarda Macatuon Talib, 30 years old, married, housewife, all residents of Salvador town, Lanao del Norte; Sanabae Saliling Macatuon, 55, farmer; Dima Ampaso Ali, 50, farmer; Halil Saliling Ali, 30, tricycle driver; all from New Capitol Marawi City; and Alanoden Macatuon Dimarugong, 24, driver, a resident of Barangay Bario, Marawi City.
Supt. Sofronio Elcadre, Zamboanga del Sur provincial police director, said two of the suspects – Dimarugong and Ali were found positive for gunpowder following paraffin tests by the police crime laboratory.
He said the rest of the suspects will undergo further investigation but Ali was placed under detention.
Beltran said combined police and military have also placed Dimarugong under tight security while confined at the hospital in Pagadian City.
Security forces in the province are still on alert following information that some of the Islamic State-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf group members have slipped out of Marawi City, where fighting has been ongoing since May 23.