MARAWI CITY (March 13) — Fugitive Marawi vice mayor Arafat Salic who is facing charges of rebellion in relation to Marawi siege was arrested by police and military authorities inside the City Hall at around 10:00 am, March 13.
Col. Romeo Brawner, 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander in an interview said “Salic is included in the Office of the Martial Law Administrator Arrest Order dated September 4, 2017 for rebellion case,”
Salic’s arrest was in relation to his alleged involvement with the Maute-ISIS takeover of Marawi City in May 2017. His name was included in the narco-list of President Rodrigo Duterte.
City Hall insiders said Salic was entering City Hall when police and soldiers from the 82nd Infantry Battalion arrested him.
NewsLine.ph sources revealed Salic claimed he was not aware of his case and he went to City Hall to report to his office.
In 2017, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) installed the city’s first councilor as acting vice mayor after Arafat failed to report in his office.
Brawner said the personnel from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) interrogated Salic while he is under the custody of the Philippine Army in Kampo Ranao, Marawi.
After his debriefing and medical examination, Salic will be turned over to the Philippine National Police.
Salic is the son of former Marawi Mayor Solitario Ali and nephew of Fahad Salic who also became a three-term mayor.
Fahad was arrested in a checkpoint in Misamis Oriental in the early parts of Marawi siege for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
According to Brawner, after his debriefing and medical examination, Salic will be turned over to the Philippine National Police.-Divina M. Suson/NewsLine.ph