MANILA – Police authorities declared high alert in Northern Mindanao following the arrest of slain terrorist Omar Khayam Maute at her house in Steele Makers Village, barangay Tubod, Iligan City Sunday morning.
The joint operation by the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) and the Joint Task Force Ranao netted Minhati Madrais, alias ‘Baby’, an Indonesian. The police also took custody of her six children – 4 girls and 2 boys, by Omar Khayam. They were later transferred to government social workers.
Police Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, Police Regional Office-10 spokesperson, said Madrais, who holds an expired Indonesian passport, is included in the government’s list under Arrest, Search and Seizure Order (ASSO) 1.
Seized in her possession were bomb-making materials such as four blasting caps, two detonating cords and a time fuse.
Madrais and her children were brought to Iligan City Police Office for proper disposition. The police then coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the custody and care of the children.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, Regional Director of the Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office 10, directed all police units to step up operations against remnants of the Maute Group and other local terrorist cells following Madrais’ arrest.
Gonda quoted the police brass as saying the threat level of terrorism in Northern Mindanao is high.
