Matriarch of Philippine clan linked to Daesh charged

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The mother of the brothers at the head of a Daesh-linked insurrection on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao has been charged with rebellion, local media said Wednesday.

Farhana Maute -- mother of Abdullah and Omarkhayyam Maute, whose group seized Marawi City on May 23 alongside other pro-Daesh militants -- was indicted by prosecutors on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said according to online portal GMA News.

She appeared at Misamis Oriental Regional Trial Court in Cagayan de Oro City, northern Mindanao, with 10 others, including the former Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic.

Farhana Maute is said to be a key figure in the Maute group, which pledged allegiance to Daesh two years ago.

She was arrested in Masiu, Lanao del Sur province, last Friday night along with two suspected terrorists and seven women. Firearms and explosives were discovered when she was arrested.

Aguirre told reporters that prosecutors had found probable cause that she had played a role in the Maute group’s rebellion.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described her as the group’s “adviser, financier, and provider owing to her vast financial resources drawn locally and abroad.”

The Maute group, which is based around Marawi City, has targeted government forces over the last two years but three weeks ago, Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists seized the city, leading to a siege that has seen hundreds killed and much of the city destroyed.

The father of the brothers, who have reportedly been killed in the violence, is also in custody. Cayamora Maute was arrested in Davao City on June 6.

Salic was arrested the following day at a checkpoint in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental province. A search of his home uncovered grenades, a rifle and suspected methamphetamine, the authorities said.

More than 300 people suspected of ties to Daesh-linked terrorism have been arrested for rebellion since the siege began.