Country Philippines Dates of operation 2013 (2013)–present | Foundation 2013 Active region(s) Mindanao | |
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Leader(s) Abdullah Maute
Omar Maute (at-large) Preceded by Khilafah Islamiyah Movement | ||
The Maute group which also goes by the name Islamic State in Lanao is a radical Islamist group composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and some foreign fighters led by Abdullah Maute, the alleged founder of a Dawlah Islamiya, or Islamic state based in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. 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. There are reports that Omar Maute, Abdullah's brother, was killed in that clash. There are also reports to the contrary, claiming that he escaped before the camp was overrun and is still alive. Since then the group, which a Philippine Army brigade commander characterized as terrorist, has been conducting a protection racket in the remote settlements of Butig.
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Official Mosque
The spiritual leader of Maute Group declared their Islamic principles in Marawi Center Mosque, located in the heart of Marawi City. The Mosque was built by Former Senator Domocao Alonto and the Pangarungan Family.
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. They are said to be affiliated with Jemaah Islamiya, 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, Butig town mayor Ibrahim Macadato has stated that the group is not affiliated with ISIS, but are merely armed residents. 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.
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.
Activities
The Maute group is said to be actively recruiting minors for service as child warriors and using the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as propaganda. In April 2016, they abducted six sawmill workers from Butig, two of whom were later found beheaded.
On October 4, 2016, three men 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. On November 28, the Philippine government finally officially acknowledged that Maute is linked to ISIS under a live televised comment by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The majority of the people living in Marawi City do not like the principle of Maute Group since their activities are against the community living hood. Sometimes, they killed Maranao police without any justification. They are also destroying the public areas and public facilities where military personnel stay.
Top MILF Commander Abdullah "Bravo" Macapaar bin Sabbar told to the people of two provinces thru radio satellite that he does not agree with the Islamic principles of Maute Group. He also said that he is still loyal to the MILF Command where all the vision and mission are suitable to the MORO people.