MANILA (Updated) -- Joint police and military operatives arrested Friday, October 27, an alleged financier for the Maute terror group, the band of gunmen that overran Marawi City for nearly five months.
Rasdy Malawani, 42, was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and explosive, said Quezon City Police Office (QCPD) Director Guillermo Eleazar said in a press conference in Camp Karingal.
Eleazar said a search warrant was served in Malawani's house for alleged gun possession.
"We have information that he was possessing firearms and ammunition without a license. That was the basis for our operation," Eleazar said.
Recovered from Malawani's possession was a .45 caliber pistol, a rocket-propelled grenade and remittance receipts.
Malawani, a shopkeeper at Salaam Bazaar, has been soliciting funds for Ominta Romato Maute or Farhana, mother of slain Maute group leaders Omar and Abdullah, after the latter was arrested in June in Lanao del Sur.
"He was the one who facilitated the transfer of money and collection and remittance after Farhana was arrested," Eleazar said.
Malawani, who was allegedly providing funds rebellion in Marawi, allegedly remitted the funds to the wife of Madie Maute, a brother of the slain terror suspects.
The Islamic State-linked Maute group occupied Marawi for nearly five months since May 23, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Mindanao under martial law. The declaration was extended by Congress until end of the year.
National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde said that aside from gun and explosive possession charges, Malawani could face rebellion charges if proven that he has links to Maute group.
The Philippine government declared the end of the five months war in Marawi, days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city liberated from the terrorist groups. (VoxPop Philippines)