[PhilStar] The Indonesian widow of slain terror leader Omarkhayam Maute was arrested in Iligan City yesterday, with her six children taken into custody by the state. Minhati Madrais, alias Baby, was nabbed after Philippine security forces received information that she had been spotted in Barangay Tubod. Madrais reportedly admitted she is Omar’s widow.Iligan City police chief Leony Roy Ga said, "We were able to trace her relationship with Omar through the photos provided to us. In some of the photos she was with Omar."
Police said Madrais moved to Iligan from Marawi when the battle broke out between government forces and the Maute group on May 23. She claimed she was taken to Iligan but could not identify who brought her there.
Ga said Madrais would be charged with illegal possession of explosives. Her six children, all minors, will be turned over to the custody of the state.
Sporadic gunfire was still heard in Marawi City yesterday, almost two weeks after combat operations were formally terminated. Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Task Force Ranao, said, "We are still hunting down stragglers,” adding there could be as many as 39 rebels hiding in the deed city based on information from captured Indonesian militants.
“We do not have information how many militants are still there. But we will hunt them down.”Meanwhile, officials expect more attacks from the Abu Sayyaf terrorists following the killing of Hapilon. Local officials in Basilan said Radzmil, a henchman of Hapilon, has been active since last month to prove that he is the best successor to Hapilon, emir of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.
Two militiamen were killed and beheaded on Friday in Sumisip town in Basilan. Residents said the attack was another show of rage over the ongoing construction of a road that will traverse the remaining enclaves of the Abu Sayyaf in the Punoh Mahadje and Sampinit areas. The trans-central road will connect the towns of Sumisip and Maluso to Barangay Santa Clara in Lamitan City, capital of Basilan.
The Abu Sayyaf are worried the overland arterial network will make their lairs accessible to police patrol cars and military armored vehicles.
Local residents urged the military and the police to tighten their surveillance on four Abu Sayyaf commanders, among them Radzmil, who are all aspiring for the leadership of Hapilon’s group.