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Zubiri seeks probe into Marawi gov’t execs who possibly helped Maute group


Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is seeking an investigation into local government officials in Marawi City who may have provided support to terrorist groups.

In a radio dzBB interview on Sunday, Zubiri raised the possibility that the terrorist Maute group could have received support from both incumbent and former local government officials in the city.

"May mga haka-haka, kinwentuhan nga ako ni [Defense] Secretary Delfin Lorenzana... na may mga incumbent and ex-members of political clans, kapag sinabi kong political, ito yung mga elected or formally elected, na tumulong at identified dito sa Maute brothers," he said.

"Unang-una, paano nakakuha ng bala at mga baril itong mga teroristang ito kung saan galing sa national armory? Isang case na parang balikbayan box na bala. Prepositioned po sila sa mga bahay kung saan nakipagbabakan ang mga Maute forces," he added.

Zubiri also mentioned his conversation with soldiers in the city, who claimed that the Maute fighters seemed to have an unlimited source of ammunition.

"Sabi nga ng mga sundalo na ininterview namin, 'Sir, hindi namin alam kung saan galing yung mga bala nila, dahil kami pagkatapos ng bakbakan na tatlo o apat na oras, magrerelyebo na,'" he said.

Zubiri underscored the need to investigate these incidents, and sought punishment for officials who will be found helping the terrorist group.

"Talagang kailangan ng imbestigasyon. At kung kailangan, kung may paparusahan, dapat may parusahan talaga under treason in this situation. Treason is a non-bailable offense, pwede silang mahuli at walang bail na ibibigay sa kanila," he said.

"Ang importante dito, hindi na maulit muli, lalo na sa ibang lugar. Tignan natin kung may ginagawa bang hakbang ang local government officials para mapigil itong mga ito," he added.

Zubiri urged local government officials not to become accessories to the proliferation of conflict in Mindanao and in other areas in the country.

"Kung alam nila na nagsasagawa ng terrorist organizations sa lugar nila ng mga karahasan at mga planong terrorist activities at hindi nila isinumbong ito sa national government authorities, e di kasama rin sila diyan," he said.

"I am 100 percent in support of the investigation, with the DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] and the DND [Department of National Defense], on the possible involvement of local government officials, whether incumbent or ex-elected officials, dito sa problema na nangyari sa Marawi," he added. — BM, GMA News

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