Maute matriarch arrested in Lanao del Sur

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — The police arrested Friday night the mother of siblings Omar and Abdullah Maute, founders of the fanatically radical Dawlah Islamiya that espouses persecution of Christians and moderate Muslims.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, police director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, told The STAR via mobile phone before dawn Saturday that Ominta "Farhana" Romato-Maute and companions were intercepted at about 7:15 p.m. Friday by policemen while fleeing from Barangay Kormatan in Masiu town in Lanao del Sur.

Also arrested along with Farhana were two terrorists with gunshot wounds and seven still unidentified Maranaw women.

Sindac said they learned of the presence of Farhana, who is first wife of Cayomara, father of Dawlah Islamiya leaders Omar and Abdullah, from vigilant residents of Masiu, among them incumbent Maranaw barangay leaders.

Cayamora and his second wife, Kongan Alfonso Balawag, an ethnic Maguindanaon and a government midwife, were arrested by soldiers early this week while trying to sneak through a checkpoint, on board a rented heavily-tinted van, along a highway in Davao City.

READ: Alleged Maute leader nabbed at Davao City checkpoint l AFP prepared for retaliatory attacks after Maute patriarch's arrest

“We first got a tip that Mrs. Farhana Maute was hiding somewhere in Barangay Dayawan in Masiu from patriotic Maranaws a day prior to her arrest. More informants came out later and helped us find her in Masiu," Sindac said.

Police operatives, led by Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, intercepted Farhana and her companions while moving out of Masiu on a Silver Toyota Revo.

Incumbent municipal officials also reportedly helped Anduyan, who led the search for Farhana, locate her in Masiu.

Barangay residents confirmed on Saturday that Farhana procured loose firearms from villagers while hiding in Masiu.

Sindac, citing feedback by Masiu residents, said there was indication that she planned to augment the logistical capability of the Maute terror amid the recurring clashes in Marawi City between terrorists and state security forces.

It was not immediately established if she had facilitated the shipment of the unlicensed assault rifles to the terrorists in the besieged Marawi City.

Sindac said Anduyan and his men, comprised of personnel of the Lanao del Sur provincial police office and the police’s elite Special Action Force, found firearms and explosives in the vehicle that was to bring Farhana out of Masiu.

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