DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded security forces here for the apprehension of Cayamora Maute, the father of the Maute brothers who were responsible for the attack in Marawi City.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Mayor commended Lt. Col. Nestor Mondia and his team in Task Force Davao “for always being alert, for their hard work, and for their unquestionable dedication to keep Davao City and the Dabawenyos safe from terrorists like the Maute brothers.”
The apprehension of Cayamora, she added, is crucial in the government’s efforts to end the reign of terror experienced nowadays in Marawi and the entire Mindanao.
“This is an important development in our collective fight to reclaim peace and defeat lawlessness and terrorism, and all that threatens our freedom and future,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio also called on the people of Davao City to support the soldiers and the police.
“Let us always support our government,” she pointed out.
Meanwhile, the 67-year-old Maute who was on his way for a check up in Davao City denied involvement in terrorism when interviewed by reporters.
“Hindi ako kasama sa grupo nila. Kapangalan lang (I’m not part of their group. We only have the same name),” he said, adding he has not seen his sons, Omar and Abdullah for a long time.
In a press briefing on Tuesday after Cayamora’s arrest, Brig. Gen Gilbert Gapay, the spokesperson for the implementation of martial law in Davao region reported that the Maute patriarch was intercepted and arrested at around 10:00 a.m. on June 6 at the TF Davao checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.
Apprehended with Cayamora were Norhana Balawag Maute, his daughter; Kongan Alfonso Balawag (his second wife and mother of Norhana; Aljon Salazar Ismael, the driver of the van he boarded; and a certain Benzarali I. Tingao.
Cayamora and his companions were riding a black Toyota Grandia van with plate number MES 219 when arrested by authorities.
Gapay said the Maute patriarch was identified through a photo gallery posted at the Sirawan checkpoint.
He added that Camayora was also in possession of several identification cards with fictitious names and cash money amounted to P363,000.
Authorities also confiscated from the possession of Camayora a handgun and an improvised explosive device.
Gapay added that the arrest of Camayora is a big blow to the Maute Group and a manifestation that their members cannot run away from the law.
He also lauded the vigilance and alertness of the troopers assigned to the Sirawan checkpoint and the cooperation and support of the public. (davaotoday.com)
davao city, duterte, ISIS, Marawi, Maute, mayor sara duterte, TF Davao
