ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, Jul 17,(TNS): The wife of Owayda Benito Marohombsar, alias Abu Dar, Nafisa Pundog was apprehended at her safehouse in General Santos City.
She was included in the Martial Law Arrest Order released by the Department of National Defense last year, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey announced Monday.
Pundog was a fugitive who escaped Marawi City Jail in 2016 and had a standing warrant for illegal possession of a blasting cap or incendiary device.
Abu Dar has been the target of intensive military operations in Lanao del Sur province since last month after military intelligence reports revealed that he succeeded former leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was slain last October following a five-month siege in Marawi that killed over 1,100, mostly militants.
According to Balagtey, a pursuit operation against Najib Calimba Pundog, an alleged bomb expert who was among Abu Dar’s companions that fled during the early days of the Marawi siege, led to Nafisa Pundog’s arrest.
Najib Pundog was facing murder, kidnapping and illegal detention charges.
He resisted arrest and engaged government troops in a fierce fight, leading to his death and the wounding of a police officer.
