Identity of Suspected Indonesian Terrorist Arrested in Marawi Not Yet Confirmed: Ministry
Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday (02/11) that it cannot confirm the nationality of a suspected Indonesian terrorist reportedly arrested in Marawi City, adding that no official information has been received from Philippine authorities.
"We cannot confirm the suspect’s nationality as we have yet to receive any official confirmation or consular notification from the Philippines," Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told reporters during a press briefing in Jakarta.
On Wednesday, CNN Philippines reported the arrest of an alleged Indonesian national, reportedly identified as Muhammad Ilham Syaputra, and said that he was suspected of being affiliated to the pro-Islamic militants who seized parts of Marawi City in the southern Philippines in May.
The Philippine government wrapped up combat operations in the area on Oct. 23, exactly five months after violent clashes between Philippine security forces and Islamic militants resulted in the deaths of more than 1,100 people and drove hundreds of thousands from their homes.
Since then, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been conducting clearing operations in the city to drive out remaining security threats.
The same report also said that the suspected Indonesian fighter claimed to have been involved in the 2016 attacks in Thamrin, Central Jakarta.
Arrmanatha said that earlier in April, Philippine authorities had informed the government of the discovery of an Indonesian passport bearing the name Muhammad Ilham Syahputra and later added that he was suspected to have died during the fighting in Marawi.
"We requested for this passport so we can verify its authenticity, but we have yet to receive it," Arrmanatha said.
He added that the Indonesian consulate general in Davao has also attempted to verify the deceased body, but has yet to gain access.
Indonesia initiated joint marine patrols with the Philippines and Malaysia in the aftermath of violence in Marawi to stem the flow of militants in and out of the region.
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