The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed a police officer from Antipolo, Rizal has joined the Maute terrorist group.
PNP Drug Enforcement Group - Mindanao Chief CInsp. William Santos on Saturday said the police officer voluntarily joined the Maute group.
"Masama man sabihin, isang pulis na naman na galing Luzon ang na-identified natin siya, kasama siya ng Maute," Santos said.
[Translation: As bad as it may sound, we have identified another policeman from Luzon who is now with the Maute.]
Earlier, former police officer Jessy Vincent Original, who also hails from Antipolo, was involved in the 2016 Davao City night bombing bombing orchestrated by the Maute group.
While Santos refused to divulge the identity of the second police officer, he said investigation is underway.
"Nakaiwan din siya ng mga IDs niya, papaimbestigahan pa natin itong pulis na to," he said.
[Translation:He also left some IDs, we will have this policeman investigated.]
However, Santos said the officer might have been the colleague of the now jailed Original.
Police said the unidentified police officer might have also been involved in supplying illegal drugs to the Maute rebels.
On Saturday morning, the police discovered various drug paraphernalia inside a mosque in the ground zero of the Marawi crisis.
Santos said the Maute members are using the mosque as a safe haven where they are also sniffing drugs, especially methamphetamine.
"Sino ba naman ang mag-iisip na doon sa loob ng Masjid? Hindi na nila nirespeto, sinasabi nila na Islam sila pero doon nila ginagamit yun as pot session, doon sila nagpa-pot session," he said.
[Translation: Who would have thought to do it inside the Masjid? They have no respect, they say they're for Islam, but they used it for their pot session.]
He added the mosque is now abandoned, which is a sign that the terrorists are retreating to the edge of Marawi.
Multiple deadlines — set by both President Rodrigo Duterte and top security officials — to put an end to the crisis have so far not been met.
The President has declared martial law in the entire Mindanao, which was extended by the joint session of Congress until the end of the year.
The Marawi crisis, which started on May 23, has resulted in the death of hundreds of rebels and government troopers in the battlefield.
Source: CNN
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