Army: 300 Maute fighters escaped, regrouped before Marawi siege end

According to the army’s 1st infantry division spokesperson Major Ronald Suscano, the Maute group, the biggest faction in the alliance that pledged loyalty to the IS, escaped before the government forces were able to reclaim Marawi and eliminate its leaders. (PNA photo)

After its suspected subleader and member were reportedly arrested in Manila, the army said on March 5 that about 300 fighters from the Islamic State (IS)-inspired group which held the battle-torn city of Marawi for 154 days have regrouped to plan other attacks.

According to the army’s 1^st infantry division spokesperson Major Ronald Suscano, the Maute group, the biggest faction in the alliance that pledged loyalty to the IS, escaped before the government forces were able to reclaim Marawi and eliminate its leaders.

In a Reuters report, Suscano told the reporters, “They are regrouping, restraining, and recruiting for another attack.

”

He further said that the fighters divided themselves into smaller groups with some going to the capital city of Manila to conduct bombings.

The alleged subleader who was arrested yesterday was identified as Nasser Lomondot also known as Muhamad Lomondot, while the other suspected member was Rizasalam Lomondot.

(Read: Suspected subleader, member of Maute group nabbed in Manila)

The two were nabbed in an operation conducted by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Manila Police District (MPD), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group on Saturday, March 3.

The NCRPO said that Nasser Lomondot was involved in the attack on a Civilian Active Auxiliary Detachment and was “one of the key planners” in the attack of Marantao, Lanao Del Sur during the Marawi siege last year.

“He also took part in the killings of innocent Christians, committed violence against women and children hostages,” the police added referring to Nasser Lomondot.

On October 17, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi City free, but Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced the end of the five-month siege.

“After 154 days of siege in Marawi with Daesh-inspired Maute-ISIS group, after a week the commander-in-chief declared the liberation of Marawi City, we now announce the termination of combat operations in Marawi City,” Lorenzana told reporters.

(Read: Lorenzana confirms end of Marawi siege)