MANILA, June 8 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday announced that it has compiled two lists containing the names of more than 200 supporters of the terrorist Maute Group, the followers of which are still locked in a stalemate with government security forces in a near-siege of Marawi City located in Lanao del Sur.
The lists include local politicians, according to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año.
Año told a television interview: “I cannot recall the number but I think its more than 200 names. (There are names of incumbent local) politicians, (private citizens and Maute Group members) there,” he added.
These individuals will be arrested as soon as possible, he said.
Gen. Año said the lists also include the owner of the house in Marawi City where PHP52.2 million in cash and PHP27 million in mostly stale checks were recovered on June 5.
“Well, we have already identified the owner of the house but I would rather not reveal the identity. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the supporters of this group,” he added.
The military has been conducting military operations against the Maute Group following its May 23 onslaught on Marawi City.
As of this posting, the AFP has neutralized 138 Maute Group members while losing 39 government security troops in the three-week old campaign.
Around 20 civilians were reported killed by the lawless group.
Also seized were 138 firearms, even as government forces have rescued 1,561 civilians, so far, from the clutches of the terrorists.
