Salic denies involvement in Maute attack

A former Marawi City mayor was arrested for rebellion at a checkpoint in Misamis Oriental Wednesday night, police said.

Fajad Salic, a former husband of actress-politician Alma Moreno, was arrested at around 7:30 p.m. in connection with Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code or "Rebellion or Insurrection" at a checkpoint in Brgy. San Martin, Villanueva.

"Hinuli siya dahil may arrest order siya na pending na inisyu ng Department of National Defense," said regional police spokesman Supt. Lemuel Gonda. "Iyung arrest order number 2 na kasali iyung pangalan niya, gawa nung rebolusyon na kaso sa Marawi incident."

Article 134 states "the crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws."

Salic denied allegations he was involved in the Maute group's attack in Marawi City.

"Hindi ko po alam basta ang pagkaalam ko pinara ako at sinabi na baba ka muna dahil nandito ka sa arrest order number 2," he said.

"Wala po. Hindi pa nagsisimula yung kaguluhan sa Marawi nasa Maynila na ako."

He added that he was outraged by the Maute attack in Marawi City.

"Sinong natibong taga-Marawi na hindi galit? Wala po kaming mabalikan doon. Three terms akong naging mayor ng Marawi. Sinong tao diyan na hindi ko kamag-anak? Sino bang tao diyan na hindi ko naging supporter? Lahat ng tao na nasiraan puro ko kababayan," he said.

Police said they also confiscated Salic's pick-up truck, which he drove from Manila on his way to Cagayan.

"Galing po ako ng Manila. Kahit noon mayor ako hindi ako sasakay ng eroplano, alam yan ng tao. Sumasakay ako by land papuntang Marawi. Uuwi po ako sa bahay namin sa Cagayan," he said.

Salic earlier surrendered to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency after being tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte in the illegal drug trade.

"Nung nasabi na kasali ako noon, nag-surrender po ako. Nagpunta ako ng DILG Central Office. Nagpirma po ako ng waiver na magpaimbestiga ako. So hanggang ngayon 'di ko po alam at hinahanap ko sa sarili ko hindi ako involve ng drugs," he said.

Maute terrorists are now holed up in Marawi City, with battles raging as government forces attempt re-take the city.

Around 200 people have been killed, and around 2,000 civilians trapped by the fighting in the city.

Armored vehicles have brought in more Philippine army troops in a concerted effort to root out the Islamic fighters.

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law following the Maute attack in Marawi. - with reports from Joey Taguba, ABS-CBN News; Reuters