Three policemen also injured
(Eagle News) — Four Maute members who were allegedly supposed to testify against the matriarch of the Maute group were killed in an ambush in Lanao del Norte on Saturday night.
The fatalities were identified as Zulkifli Maute, Alan Solaiman, Salah Abbas, and Aliasgar Hadji Solaiman, who were arrested with the mother of the Maute terrorist leaders, Farhana Maute, on Thursday night.
The female Maute–mother of Omarkhayam and Abdullah—was moved out from Lanao del Norte on Friday.
Cayamora Maute, the Maute patriarch, has been arrested and transferred for detention in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig for security reasons.
According to authorities, the four were being transported on board a police car for their inquest proceedings in Cagayan de Oro when several men fired at the vehicle at the boundary of Balo-i and Pantar towns.
The four were rushed to a nearby hospital, but were pronounced dead on arrival.
Three policemen–Chief Insp. William Santos, Senior Insp. Jans Vladimir Hilarion, and PO1 Danny Giovanni—who were part of the convoy were hurt in the incident.
Authorities are now investigating the “unknown group” behind the incident.
President Rodrigo Duterte hoisted martial law over Mindanao, following attacks from the Maute group several weeks ago in Marawi.
The group had overrun parts of the city after authorities launched offensives against Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf member, who was believed to be in Marawi.
Authorities are eyeing liberating the entire city from the terrorist group on Monday, Independence Day.