Philippine police arrest Indonesian militant in Marawi
Philippine police announced on November 1 that they have arrested an Indonesian militant who joined gunmen loyal to the Islamic State in a five-month battle in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine police announced on November 1that they have arrested an Indonesian militant who joined gunmen loyal to theIslamic State in a five-month battle in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
Theyarrested the 22-year-old Indonesian after Marawi authorities found him tryingto flee, adding he would face rebellion and terrorism charges.
Theyalso seized a gun, a grenade and an undisclosed sum in Philippine, Indonesianand Saudi Arabian currencies from the militant.
Themilitant from Indonesia’s Medan city arrived in the Philippines last year uponthe invitation of the Filipino head of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia,Isnilon Hapilon, provincial police chief Senior Superintendent John Guyguyoncited the gunman's account given to interrogators as saying.
Hisgroup was involved in a 2016 suicide attack that killed eight people in theIndonesian capital Jakarta. He is part of the siege in a military operation inApril in Piagapo, a town 45 minutes away from Marawi.
Hundredsof local and foreign gunmen who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic Staterampaged through Marawi on May 23. They took over parts of the city usingcivilians as human shields.
Clashesclaimed more than 1,100 lives, displaced 400,000 residents and destroyed largeparts of the city.
Afterthe five-month US-backed military campaign, the Philippine army declaredthe liberation of Marawi from militants.
However,there are still about 20 militants hiding in Marawi, according to localofficials.-VNA
The government armed forces will liberate the southern Marawi city in a few days, announced General Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a televised press conference on October 16.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 announced that the government’s armed forces have liberated southern Marawi city after the 148-day clashes against Islamic militants.
Indonesian authorities have tightened security in some areas bordering the Philippines and at the Philippine diplomatic mission in Jakarta following Manila's declaration that its southern city of Marawi has been liberated from pro-Islamic State militants.
Filipino government forces have rescued all hostages held by the pro-Islamic States (IS) militants that took over southern Marawi city for five months, Colonel Romeo Brawner told a press conference on October 22.
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 23 officially announced an end to a five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines’ Marawi city.
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Philippine soldiers (Photo: alwaght.com) 
