"This development will hopefully bring to bear the realities existing in the area about the close relation between the illegal drug trade and this ongoing rebellion,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement," Palace spokesperson Ernesto Abella stated.
Ali's name is included in the list of 125 Maute members ordered to be arrested by the authorities. The arrest order was issued by the Defense department of the Philippines after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao took place. He is also among the narcopoliticians accused by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Fajad Salic, also a former Vice Mayor of Marawi City and the brother of Ali, has been charged of rebellion for supporting the notorious Maute terror group that attacked the city on May 23.
President Duterte previously insisted that the money raised from illegal drugs funds the terrorists in Mindanao.
"Drugs fueled martial law…And it’s because of the drug money, they were funding the terrorism. It’s part of rebellion," Duterte stated in his speech in Tacurong City on June 7.
In the supporting report for martial law submitted by Duterte to the Congress, he mentioned the local terrorist Maute group are linked to foreign terrorist groups.
"Reports abound that foreign-based terrorist groups, the ISIS in particular, as well as illegal drug money, provide financial and logistical support to the Maute group," Duterte said in the report.
"Considering the network and alliance-building activities among terrorist groups, local criminals, and lawless armed men, the siege of Marawi City is a vital cog in attaining their longstanding goal: Absolute control over the entirety of Mindanao," he added.
In his speech last May 29 to the military troops in Sulu, that the dugs produced in Mindanao is not really for business but to fund the terrorism.
"(It) actually started with drugs. And they were producing drugs halfway, not really for business but to fund the terrorism," he said.
Meanwhile, former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela, tourism and investment consultant, stated that everyone must state alert and commit themselves in taking action against any subsiding terrorism in Marawi City.
He added that the current crisis is causing other countries to cancel their trips. There were also reports that all provinces are on red alert due to the siege in Marawi and the New People's Army attacks sends a negative message to the world.
Source: Philstar, Sunstar
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