Maute group conscripting civilians, increases IED production

The Maute group has started conscripting civilians in an effort to increase their flagging numbers in Marawi City, Task Force Ranao Deputy Commander Col. Romeo Brawner said on Friday.

"They now force the hostages, especially the male hostages to fight with them. So tumaas na po yung number ng fighters," Brawner said on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras".

The Maute group has found itself in a major battle with Philippine security forces after the terror group attacked Marawi last May.

In addition to augmenting their numbers with civilians, the Maute group also increased their production of improvised explosive devices by using dud bombs dropped by government forces.

About 1,500 IEDs had so far been recovered by the 54th Engineering Brigade, and, with the help of other security units, the Army Engineers continued to create safe areas in the city which were free from Maute munitions, debris, and criminal organizations.

In one such operation, police captured an Amenton Rebosura and seven other drug personalities who hid in a house in Marawi. The suspects were brought to Lanao Del Sur's police provincial office.

"Yung isang pusher, ginagamit yung bahay niya as drug den," Lanao Del Sur Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent John Guyguyon said.

Rebosura admitted to using illegal drugs but denied being part of the drug trade. — Rie Takumi/DVM, GMA News