By: Francis T. Wakefield
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde announced yesterday the arrest of a suspected Maute Group financier in a mall in Quezon City.
Albyalde said 42-year-old Rasdy Malawani alias Rasdy Macabangkit/Makabanket was apprehended during a police operation Thursday morning
In a press briefing at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, Albayalde assured that police are very much on top of the situation and that they have not monitored any potential terror threats that could disrupt the observance of All Saints’ Day and their preparation for the ASEAN Summit this November.
“Despite this series of arrest, Metro Manila remains peaceful and we are very much ready to receive the 22 leaders in the upcoming ASEAN Summit and also the 3,000 delagates with them,” Albayalde said.
Malawani was arrested by virtue of a warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act by members of the Quezon City Police District-District Special Operations Unit (QCPD-DSOU) headed by Police Supt. Rogarth Campo, the District Intelligence Division (DID) under Police Supt. Pedro Sanchez, and Fairview Police Station 5 under Police Supt. Tomas Nunez.
According to QCPD Director Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, Malawani, who has been under surveillance for some time to confirm information that he was fronting for Ominta Romato Maute, alias Farhana of the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group, in managing her Salaam Bazaar in Novaliches Plaza Malll.
The bazaar was identified as a source of funds of the terrorist group in Marawi City.
Farhana is presently detained at the Bicutan Jail in Taguig City. She was arrested in Brgy. Kormatan, Masiu, Lanao del Sur, in June 2017.
The intelligence operation confirmed that the suspect was indeed running the bazaar and collecting rents from stallholders that he allegedly remitted to Azesha/Azezza Macabangit/Macabangkit-Maute, alias Lily, the wife of Madie Maute who was one of the architects of the Marawi siege.
Armed with a warrant from Branch 89 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, the operatives swooped down on the suspect’s residence at Block 4, Lot 2, Marytown Circle, Greenfields I, Brgy. Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City, at 6:25 a.m. Thursday, according to Eleazar.
Seized during the search were an unlicensed .45-caliber Colt pistol with five ammunition, a rifle grenade and numerous bank transaction receipts.
