ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — The matriarch of the Maute brothers along with seven other women were arrested Friday night.
Omina Romato Maute, also known as Farhana, the mother of Omar and Abdullah, was arrested in Barangay Tamboro Cormatan in Maisu, Lanao del Sur.
In a report by the Inquirer, Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief, said Farhana and the seven women were moving out of Masiu on a Toyota Revo when arrested.
He said several firearms and explosives were seized from the suspects.
Another woman was “invited for questioning” after checking in in a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. But Chief Insp. Ariel Pontillas of the Cagayan de Oro City police’s intelligence unit said she was later cleared by authorities after her name was not found on the list.
The woman was found to be a teacher in a public school in Marawi.
As of press time, there is no statement yet from the Maute’s side regarding the identity of their family members who were arrested.
Two arrest orders in separate dates were issued by the Department of National Defense where 324 names were listed.
The first arrest order was issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on May 29 ordering the arrest and investigation of at least 139 individuals.
The second arrest order was issued on June 6 where 185 persons were named.
Read related story: Two arrest orders out for 324 terrorists in Mindanao
Farhana’s arrest came three days after the arrest of Cayamora Maute, the patriarch of the Mautes, on June 6 in Davao City.
Cayamora was arrested along with four other companions including his daughter and second wife. Cayamora denied his involvements in terrorism during his arrest.(davaotoday.com)
