By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang yesterday welcomed the latest developments in the ongoing operations against the Maute Group that attacked Marawi City last month.
During the Mindanao Hour press briefing over Radyo ng Bayan yesterday, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella noted the recovery of R10-million worth of suspected shabu inside the house of former Marawi Mayor Omar Solitario Ali.
President Duterte has named Ali as one of the local government officials allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade. The former mayor is also included in the arrest order of the Department of National Defense in connection with the Marawi rebellion.
“This development will hopefully bring to bear the realities existing in the area about the close relation between the illegal drug trade and this ongoing rebellion,” Abella said.
Abella also said that the military is now validating reports that Malaysian Mahmud bin Ahmad, who reportedly helped finance the rebellion in Marawi, died during the early days of the armed conflict.
“We have been told that the military has information of the spot where he was buried and government troops are now trying to locate it and recover the remains. Once done, only then can we make an official confirmation,” he said.