A SUPPOSED job-seeker who had ran out of money and who had resorted to sleeping in a Catholic chapel at Barangay 31, Cagayan de Oro City, has been detained after an informant tipped police that he looked like one of the terrorists in a wanted poster.
A spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) said the person, who identified himself as Jerusalem Roneje, 29, of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, was picked up by police Wednesday, June 28.
Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II said Roneje resembled Muhammad Mulok whose picture appears in a wanted poster of Maute extremists.
Hortillosa said policemen showed Roneje a picture of Mulok and said Roneje told them it was him prompting the police to turn over Roneje to the City Intelligence Unit.
The police official said elements of the Martial Law Special Action Group looked into Roneje’s identity and initially deemed Roneje may be who he says he is.
"Naa mi gipakita sa iya nga picture unya ingon siya nga siya daw to busa gianhaan siya sa military ug police intel unya gibalik ra pud dayon kay dili daw siya mao," Hortillosa said.
He said after being fed, Roneje has retracted his admission and told the police that he only has similar features with the terrorist in the picture.
Hortillosa said Roneje had come to Cagayan de Oro City to look for a job but has been unsuccessful and had slowly ran out of money.
"Gikan daw sa Aurora ug nianhi siya diri para magtrabaho unya wala na siyay kwarta busa didto siya natulog (Catholic chapel)," Hortillosa added.
The police official said the investigation is continuing and if no charges are filed within three days, Roneje will be free to go.