Armed with Search Warrant issued by Hon. Dennis Z. Alcantar, Executive Judge, Branch 18 of Cagayan De Oro City, the group, accompanied by two Barangay Kagawad searched the house rented by a certain Irene Romato Idris at Residencia Apartment, Aluba, Brgy. Macasandig, Cagayan De Oro City that led to the apprehension of:
1. Gazim Mantawazi Abdullah
2. Monaliza Solaiman Romato
3. Tahera Romato Taher
Upon apprehending the suspects, the searching group also seized the following ammunition, explosives and IED components:
1. 4 pcs of M203 grenade (40mm HE)
2. 1 pcs blasting cap
3. 9 volts battery w/ battery holder
4. One pc c4 explosive
5. 8 pcs detonating cord
6. 19 pcs 100watts incandescent bulb
7. 1 pc jungle knife
8. Suspected ammonium nitrate placed inside a plastic bag
9. Suspected ammonium nitrate (color red) placed inside a plastic bottle
The three suspects and the seized items were immediately brought to CIDG 10 for proper filling of case and proper disposition.
According to reports, Monaliza Romato @Monay replaced her aunt Farhana Romato Maute, the Matriarch of the Maute Clan with mother of Maute Terrorist Group leaders Omar and Abdullah after her arrest in Lanao del Sur area. She is providing financial and logistical support to the Maute Terrorist group and her house in Cagayan De Oro served as a sanctuary and transit point for Maute terrorist members.
Alias Monay is also the mother of a certain @Colingling who serves as Intel/Liaison of the Maute Terrorist Group in CDO. She also provided sanctuary to Farida Romato, Al Majid Romato and Al Jadid Romato, members of the Maute Terrorist Group, during their stay in the City prior to their arrest in Iloilo Port last June 18, 2017.
Her link with Maute was likewise traced to Mohammad Noaim Maute @Abu Jadid/Majid, a trained Maute terrorist bomber tasked to conduct bombing in Cagayan de Oro City during the previous RAMADAN when she supported her stay in the City.
This effort is part of the continuous tracking and monitoring being implemented by EMC's units against the personalities listed in the Arrest Order, to prevent terroristic activities to be carried out in Eastern Mindanao.
The arrest prevented the Maute of staging diversionary attacks in Northern Mindanao and will adversely affect the logistics support network of the group.