Maute group

Maute group
Country Philippines
Leader(s) Abdullah Maute
Omar Maute (Deceased)
Foundation 2013
Dates of operation 2013 (2013)–present
Preceded by Khilafah Islamiyah Movement[1]
Active region(s) Mindanao
Ideology Islamic fundamentalism
Notable attacks 2016 Butig clash
2016 Davao City bombing
Size approximately 180[2]
Flag

The Maute group which also goes by the name Islamic State in Lanao is an armed Islamist group composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and some foreign fighters[3] led by Abdullah Maute, the alleged founder of a Dawlah Islamiya, or Islamic state based in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines.[4] The group figured in a clash with Philippine Army troops in February 2016 that ended with the capture of their headquarters in Butig, Lanao del Sur.[2][5] There are reports that Omar Maute, Abdullah's brother, was killed in that clash.[6] There are also reports to the contrary, claiming that he escaped before the camp was overrun and is still alive.[7] Since then the group, which a Philippine Army brigade commander characterized as terrorist,[8] has been conducting a protection racket in the remote settlements of Butig.[4]

Background

Philippine Army sources state that their initial encounter with the Maute group involved a firefight in 2013 when the insurgents attacked a security checkpoint the government troops were manning in Madalum, Lanao del Sur. The group is thought to have over 100 members and were supplied with equipment by a foreign terrorist.[8] They are said to be affiliated with Jemaah Islamiya,[2] a Southeast Asian Islamist terrorist group.

Although some reports indicate that the Maute group is regularly seen carrying black flags bearing the insignia of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria,[4] Butig town mayor Ibrahim Macadato has stated that the group is not affiliated with ISIS, but are merely armed residents.[9] However, training manuals and other documents for militants under the Islamic State were recovered from their captured camp, indicating that the group may be trying to link up with ISIS.[10]

Butig, the headquarters of the Maute group, is also a stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and both groups are tied by blood or marriage. Brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute are first cousins of Azisa Romato, the wife of the late MILF Vice Chairman for Military Affairs Alim Abdul Aziz Mimbantas, who is buried in Butig. The Maute brothers themselves were once members of the MILF.[11]

Activities

The Maute group is said to be actively recruiting minors for service as child warriors[12] and using the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as propaganda.[8] In April 2016, they abducted six sawmill workers from Butig,[13] two of whom were later found beheaded.[4]

On October 4, 2016, three men who are linked to the Maute Group were arrested in connection with the 2016 Davao City bombing. The men were TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, and Musali Mustapha. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the Maute Group has already established links with the Abu Sayyaf and that there are "indications" that the group is aligning themselves with ISIS.[14] On November 28, the Philippine government finally officially acknowledged that Maute is linked to ISIS under a live televised comment by President Rodrigo Duterte.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Franco, Joseph. "Mindanao after the Philippines presidential elections". Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Ho, Alex (February 26, 2016). "AFP overruns extremists' camp in Lanao, 45 killed since fighting erupted". CNN Philippines. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  3. ↑ Espina-Varona, Inday (March 10, 2016). "Alphabet of terror in Philippines' political boiling pot". Catholic News Asia. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Unson, John (April 13, 2016). "Maute group beheads 2 captive sawmill workers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  5. ↑ Maitem, Jeoffrey (March 1, 2016). "Army regains control of Lanao Sur town, drives away ISIS-inspired group". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ Gallardo, Froilan (March 24, 2016). "Army chief: Maute group is no ISIS". Mindanews. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  7. ↑ Macabalang, Ali G. (March 7, 2016). "Maute brothers still alive". Tempo. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Ansis, JC (March 3, 2016). "Butig clashes: What we know so far". CNN Philippines. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Relief goods needed as aerial bombing continues in Lanao del Sur town". CNN Philippines. February 25, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ Pareño, Roel (March 10, 2016). "IS training manuals found at militants' camp". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ Zambrano, Chiara (March 3, 2016). "The ties that bind MILF and Maute group". ABS-CBN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ Ermac, Bonita (March 2, 2016). "Child Warriors Told They'd go to Heaven". Mindanao Gold Star Daily. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  13. ↑ Pareño, Roel (April 5, 2016). "Maute group abducts 6 sawmill workers in Lanao del Sur town". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ Tan, Kimberly Jane. "'Maute Group' men arrested over Davao City blast". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  15. ↑ Hader Glang (November 29, 2016). "Philippines officially recognizes Daesh role in south". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
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