Cops seek transfer of Maute leader's wife from GenSan lockup

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--Police are seeking the immediate transfer of the wife of a top leader of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group, to a more secure detention facility following her arrest here on Monday.

City police director, Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, said Thursday they are set to submit a request to a local court to allow them to move out suspect, Nafisah Pundug, from the detention cell of the City Police Station 7. Security issues, he said, are the main consideration for the transfer request.

Nafisah was arrested by Army and police operatives in a joint operation in Purok Maunlad, Barangay Apopong in Monday morning.

She is the wife of Owaidah Abdulmajib Marohombsar alias Abu Dar, the reported new leader of the Maute Group and “emir” of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.

Supiter said they are currently evaluating the possible detention facilities for Nafisah within and outside the city, including Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, which currently holds some high-profile inmates.

The government has earlier designated the jail's special intensive care area as detention facility for arrested members of the Maute Group.
Supiter said they could also move the suspect to the Lanton Reformatory Center in Barangay Apopong.

Nafisah was arrested by virtue of a standing warrant for violation of Republic Act No. 9516 or possession of explosive materials. She was jailed at the Marawi City jail but managed to escape in 2016.

She was arrested hours after a joint raid by various intelligence and law enforcement units in in Zone 3, Block 4 in Barangay Fatima that led to the killing of alleged Maute "bomb-maker" and number two man Najib Calimba Pundug, alias Najib Hussein.

Six other family members of the slain suspect were also arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and coddling a fugitive. (PNA)