(Eagle News) — An Indonesian who fought alongside Maute terrorists in Marawi was arrested by authorities on Wednesday.
In a press briefing, Senior Supt. John Guyguyon, Lanao del Sur police chief, said Muhammad Ilham Syahputra from Northern Sumatra, was intercepted as he tried to escape the war-torn city by swimming across waters at one point.
Guyguyon said prior to Syahputra’s arrest, authorities had received a report about a foreigner escaping toward that area.
The police official said it was easy to conclude Syahputra, who was wearing wet clothes when arrested, was a foreigner as he did not look like a Filipino, and spoke only little English and Filipino.
He said Syahputra, who also had a bullet wound on the side of his body, was fluent in Bahasa.
According to Guyguyon, when accosted, recovered from Syahputra was a bag which contained a gun.
Also recovered were a fragmentation grenade, money of different denominations–rial and pesos–and a passport which was not in his name and which Syahputra claimed he got from a fellow Indonesian he shot because he wanted to escape.
“Assignments”
According to Guyguyon, Syahputra admitted to taking part in the Tamil bombing, and in the Piagapo, Lanao del Sur siege in April.
He said Syahputra admitted to being recruited to join the “struggle” in Marawi by terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon.
He said according to Syahputra, Hapilon’s original plan was to bomb other parts of the Philippines, particularly military detachments in Basilan and Sulu.
“That’s according to him. Prior to his arrival, yun balak ni (Hapilon) pero naforego yun because they are concentrating here,” Guyguyon said.
Syahputra told the authorities he arrived in the country in November 2016.
Guyguyon said the authorities were now coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for this.
“Ang banggit lang, one time dumating siya (sa Pilipinas). Ang problem, di namin makita passport niya. Sabi niya kinuha ng Maute..,” Guyguyon said.
He said charges for rebellion, terrorism and others will be filed against the Indonesian national.