Taguig court convicts Maute matriarch for financing terrorists

MANILA, Philippines — A Taguig City court has found the matriarch of the Maute family in Marawi City guilty of terrorism financing, a violation of Republic Act 10168 or the The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.

Ominta Romato Maute, also known as "Farhana Maute," was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt and penalized with imprisonment from 17 years, four months and one day; to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment.

Farhana's two sons, Abdullah and Omar, are the leaders of the Maute group that captured Marawi City in 2017 along with the Abu Sayyaf faction of Isnilon Hapilon.

The court found that on July 29, 2016, Ominta allowed her Toyota Innova car to be used by five terrorists, namely, Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute, Omar Khayam Romato Maute, Abdullah Romato Maute, Mahater Romato Maute and Najib C. Pundug. Earlier, the group also "committed a series of savage and inhumane acts such as kidnapping and beheading of civilians in Lanao Del Sur from April 4 to 10, 2016," according to the Department of Justice.

Authorities later recovered several improvised explosive devices inside Ominta's vehicle, which was abandoned at a checkpoint, the court decision noted.

Hailing the court's decision, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said: “This conviction exhibits our nation’s unity and resilience to fight the evils lurking in our society."

The prosecution panel was composed of SDSP Peter L. Ong, Assistant State Prosecutor (ASP) Jenny A. De Castro, ASP Mary Grace S. Arboladura, Prosecution Attorney (PA) Ruth Anne P. Zamora and PA Lyra Carissa M. Profugo.

“We are committed to scoring more convictions, particularly on cases involving terrorism and terrorism financing,” Remulla added.