Maute matriarch, ex-Marawi mayor face rebellion raps in CDO court

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15): Maute matriarch, ex-Marawi mayor face rebellion raps in CDO court

The Department of Justice approved the filing of rebellion charges against Ominta Tamano "Farhana" Maute, mother of Mauter group leaders Abdullah and Omar, former Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic and nine others in connection to the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur before the Cagayan De Oro City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

”The centralized Prosecution Office of Lanao Del Sure and Marawi City accuses [the 11 individuals] of the crime of rebellion under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code,” read the four-page resolution dated June 13, 2017 was signed by Prosecutors Ramonchito Bienvenido Ocampo Jr. and Liezel Aquiatan but was released to media on Thursday.

Rebellion is a non-bailable offense.

Aside from Salic and Maute, also charged in court are Sumaya Bangkit Masakal, Radiea Tugosa Asire, Mariam Ibnu Abubakar, Zafeerah Rosales Musa, Nehreen Macaraya Abdul, Nora Moctar Limgas, Mardiyya Haji Ali, Sumayya Lawi Ali and Noronisa Haji Camal.

All 11 accused were included in the list of over 300 individuals identified as members of the Maute group, the Abu Sayyaf group, and their sympathizers earlier ordered arrested by the government for the crime of rebellion.

They were indicted after investigating prosecutors found probable cause to file the case in court following inquest proceedings held at their temporary detention cell in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan De Oro City.

Farhana and her nine companions were arrested last Friday in Masiu, Lanao Del Sur. Authorities confiscated one M14 rifle, seven M14 magazine assembly, 136 M14 live ammunition, one scope, two rifle grenades, two improvised rocket propelled grenades and two smoke grenades.

On the other hand, Salic who was also arrested last Friday in Misamis Oriental was included in Department Order No. 2 issued by Defense Secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana. Authorities confiscated four units of M203 grenade, one M16 rifle loaded with 29 pieces of live ammunition and three pieces of long magazine with each loaded with 30 pieces of 5.56 live ammunition.

Farhana is believed to be the financier of the Maute group while Salic's name appeared among cheques confiscated by the military in one of Maute group's hideout. The nine others were among those arrested with Farhana.

Clan patriarch Cayamora Maute was already arrested last June 6 at a checkpoint in Davao City last along with two other Maute members. They were already indicted for rebellion before the Davao City RTC before being brought to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for detention.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216, on May 23 declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao. This was a result of the attack of the Maute group in Marawi City, which is still ongoing and is subject to military operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995605