The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday issued an arrest warrant for 186 suspected members and spies of the Philippines' top terrorist groups namely Abu Sayyaf Group, (ASG), Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Maguid Group.
The arrest order was a seven-page document stipulating the names of 186 suspected spies or couriers of the mentioned suspected terrorist groups.
The arrest order mandates government security authorities to nab suspected terrorist organization members and investigate their probable involvement to rebellion in the Southern Philippines. The order also mandates security authorities to take into custody suspected personalities with possible links with the Marawi attack.
The Southern Philippines was placed under the state of Martial law, which allows security authorities to conduct arrests even with the absence of court warrants.
The rebellion and terror attack in Marawi City has reached a death toll of 202, which include 134 terrorists, 38 Philippine soldiers and 30 civilians.
The Philippine government was also suspecting that the 186 names listed on the arrest order were involved in indiscriminately killing, kidnapping, perpetuating bombings in marawi city and some parts of Mindanao.
Arresting authorities will also be expected to file cases against the suspects if there will be strong evidences linking them to the crimes.
The arrest order from the DND also read, "You are hereby directed to ensure that the rights of all persons arrested/detained/taken into custody by virtue hereof are protected by Philippine law."
Moroever, President Rodrigo Duterte kept on reiterating that he is no longer open for negotiations with the terrorists because of the number of death of police officers and soldiers killed in the armed conflict in Marawi.
Duterte made this announcement when he earlier announced that he received feelers from the Mother of Maute founding members Omar and Abdullah, that she wanted to speak to Duterte. The president rejected the request publicly.
