CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, July 27 — Police authorities arrested in Marawi City seven persons who disguised as members of the military and police trying to enter the besieged Islamic city Wednesday.
Chief Supt. Reuben Teodore Sindac, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), said the suspects were in police and military uniform when they tried to enter the city from Iligan City, an act that made authorities suspicious of their motive.
Sindac identified the suspects as Ariel Bejaan, 45 of Cagayan de Oro City; Pacito Villanueva, 45 of Bukidnon; Junifer Adlawan Alestre, 52 of Valencia, Bukidnon; Bienvenido Sepe, 62 of Kabacan, North Cotabato; Florante Alejandrino, 38 of Cagayan de Oro City; Rufina Guyatao, 53 of Valencia, Bukidnon; Elsie Lantong, 48, of Sumilao, Bukidnon.
Sindac said the suspects were on board a white Toyota Fortuner driven, by Leo Eliseo, 52 of Bukidnon, heading to Marawi City when flagged down by members of the Lanao del Sur PNP, led by Chief Inspector John Acasio of provincial public safety battalion, for inspection.
When checked, the suspects presented various identification cards of Moro National Liberation Front and IDs showing they were military generals. They were also in military fatigue uniform.
”They claimed they were on a scheduled meeting in Marawi City with a member of the United Nations, named Capt. James Gothrie,” Sindac said in a statement.
Seized from them were fatigue uniforms, patches, mobile phones, and other paraphernalia. They were unarmed.
They were charged for unauthorized use of military and police uniforms, Sindac said. (EOF/PNA)