Police arrest suspected financier of Maute terror group

Philippine government forces have arrested a man suspected of helping to fund the Maute group. The Daesh-backed group was behind the bloody five-month siege of Marawi City in Mindanao, which began May 23 and left more than 1,000 dead.
The suspect, 42-year-old Rasdy Malawani — also known by the aliases Rasdi Macabangkit and Makabanket — was arrested by military intelligence personnel and the Philippine National Police (PNP) early Thursday at his residence in Quezon City.
The search of Malawani’s house uncovered an unlicensed Colt 45 pistol with ammunition, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), and bank receipts.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief superintendent Guillermo Eleazar revealed Malawani was put under surveillance following a tip off that he was acting as a front for Ominta Romato Maute, aka Farhana, the matriarch and financier of the Maute group. Farhana owns the bazaar where Malawani works, which was allegedly being used to collect funds for the group. Farhana was arrested in June and is currently in jail.
Eleazar said the arrest of the suspect will cripple the Farhana’s business, “which was a significant source of the terrorist group’s finances.”
The police chief said rent collected from stallholders at the bazaar was remitted to Azesha Macabangkit-Maute, wife of Madie Maute, one of the architects of the Marawi siege. Malwani’s wife is Azesha’s sister.
Eleazar added that Tura Marohom Maute, believed to be a relative of Maute patriarch, Cayamura, was seen at Malawani's house in October 2016, before Tura allegedly visited Saudi Arabia or Malaysia for explosives training.
Eleazar also said he was hopeful Malawani would provide information on other Maute supporters or sympathizers.

Source:Arabnews