Maute father denies terrorism ties: ‘We only have the same surname’

DAVAO City–The arrested 67-year old patriarch of the Maute clan and alleged top leader of a terrorist group denied involvement in terrorism or with the group founded by his sons Omar and Abdullah.

In an interview with reporters at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the Maute patriarch claimed he has not seen his sons for some time now.

“This year, I can no longer remember,” he said. “I’m not part of the group. We only have the same surname.”

Maute, who is suffering from diabetes and had a coughing fit, was in Davao City for a medical check-up.

He said he left Marawi on Sunday, Day 13 of the clashes between government forces and the Maute Group.

He said he wants a ceasefire between government and the Maute Group.

“Nothing can replace peace in Lanao del Sur, there should be no fighting. That’s why, if needed, there should be a longer ceasefire,” he said.

An emissary of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s “Peace Corridor” managed to get the Maute Group to agree to a four-hour ceasefire to allow safe passage for trapped civilians.

At least 134 civilians were rescued Sunday morning but nearly 2,000 civilians still remain trapped in the battleground.

Pressed by reporters if he wants his sons to surrender, he said, “What do you mean by surrender?”

Maute and his second wife, Kongan Alfonso Balawag; their daughter, Norjannah Balawag Maute, and her alleged partner Benzarali Tingao; and the driver, Aljon Salazar Ismael, were arrested at a checkpoint of Task Force Davao in Sirawan, Toril, here while they were riding a black Toyota Grandia.

Salazar also denied links with the Maute Group.

He said he picked up Benzarali and his partner, Norjannah, at Hotel Filipino in Cotabato.

Bensarali, his college friend, then instructed him to go to Sultan Kudarat to pick up another passengers, who turned out to be the Maute patriarch and his second wife, Balawag. They were supposed to proceed to Tagum City.

But upon reaching Sultan Kudarat, he said the instruction changed and they were to go to Davao City instead. Tagum City is 56 kilometers from Davao city proper.

Salazar claimed he did not have any idea about his passengers’ affiliations.

“Had I known who they were, I would bring them to the police myself,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, martial law spokesperson for Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said Maute himself confirmed his identity, and that he is the father of Omar and Abdullah

Police found allegedly falsified identification cards with different names, P363,000 in cash, a grenade, and a caliber .45 pistol.

“This apprehension of the Cayamora Maute together with his companion is a big blow to the Maute-Isis terrorist group. As a patriarch of the Maute clan, Mr. Maute is considered as one of the brains of the Maute-Isis terror group,” Gapay said.

Upon checking, Gapay said, authorities found an aged man wrapped in a blanket that partly covered his face lying on a passenger seat.

He said the man bore resemblance to the Maute’s top leader upon verification.

Gapay said Cayamora would be charged with rebellion and Balawag with violation of Presidential Decree 1866 for alleged possession of blasting caps and triggering devices.

Police Regional Office 11 director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan said there are warrants of arrest against 89 other Maute members, including Cayamora for five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, in Lanao del Sur.

He said they are still verifying reports on the presence of Maute members in the city.

“There are various information being confirmed. They are attempting to enter the city. As to the exact identifies we cannot ascertain it. We are assuming they have sympathizers here,” he said.

Gaerlan said authorities were still studying whether they would include the driver in the rebellion case, given the evidence.

He said Cayamora was attended to by Central 911 because he had cough. (antonio colina IV of mindanews)