AFP prepared for retaliatory attacks after Maute patriarch's arrest
Cayamora Maute is one of the brains of the Maute terrorist group. STAR/Edith Regalado
MANILA, Philippines — Security forces in eastern Mindanao are prepared in the event of retaliatory or diversionary attacks following the arrest of the Maute clan's patriarch, said to be one of the brains of the terror group.
Earlier this week, authorities nabbed Cayamora Maute and four others at a checkpoint in Davao City.
Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command and spokesperson for the martial law implementation in Mindanao, warned that there is a risk wherever the Maute patriarch is.
"We know how the Maute group operates and ito nga pinaghahaandaan natin, ng ating security forces for eventualities like this," Gapay said in a press briefing.
Maute was initially detained at the Davao City Police Office but was transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City early Thursday.
"It is for security reasons that he was transferred. He's a patriarch and the head of the Maute clan and as such he's considered as a high-value individual and at the same time high-risk individual," Gapay said.
Gapay added that there are no reports yet on militant plans to rescue the Maute patriarch, but he noted that there have been instances where the ISIS-inspired group rescued its members.
Cayamora Maute is facing five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention while his daughter Norhana has a standing warrant for illegal possession of blasting caps issued by Regional Trial Court 12 Branch 11 in Malabang, Lanao del Sur.
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