The acknowledged patriarch of the Maute family has been intercepted by a joint police and armed forces personnel along a checkpoint at Sirawan, Toril at 10 o’clock in the morning of Monday, June 6.
Cayamora Maute, along with other four members of his family namely Kongan Alfonso Balawag, his second wife, Nurhanna Balawag Maute, his daughter, Benzarali Tingaw, husband of Nurhanna and Aljon Salazar Ismael, the driver were on board a black Toyota Grandia van with a plate number MES 219 bound for Davao City from Cotabato City when stopped at the Sirawan checkpoint.
According to Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Martial Law spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, during the inspection of the vehicle, a person covered with blanket and his face covered with a pile of clothes drew the attention of the officers.
“Upon further verifications, the person resembled one of the wanted Maute group in our photo gallery which are displayed in various checkpoints all over Davao City,” he said before reporters on Monday afternoon.
When asked about his identity, the person presented several identification cards which fueled further suspicion on the part of the officers.
And to ascertain their identities, they were immediately brought to the Davao City Police Office for further verifications.
“The person confirmed his identity. We will have other identification procedures later on through his fingerprints and other scientific means of identification,” said Director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan of Police Regional Office XI.
Initial investigation said that the persons of interest are on their way to the hospital to seek medication for the elder Maute who has been coughing incessantly.
Also recovered during the incident were P363,000 cash, several ID cards and other personal belongings.
Brig. Gen. Gapay said that Cayamora and the four others will be detained in DCPO and will be charged under Arrest Order No. 1 issued by the Secretary of National Defense for Rebellion.
“This apprehension of Cayamora Maute together with his companions is a big blow to the Maute-ISIS terrorist group. As a patriarch of the Maute clan, Cayamora is considered as one of the brains of the Maute-ISIS terror group.”
Also, according to Gaerlan, Cayamora Maute also has a pending warrant of arrest along with Abdullah Romato Maute and 88 others for five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. His wife Nurhannah, was also charged for violation of presidential decree 1866 or illegal possession of blasting tabs and incendiary devices issued by the Regional trial court of 12th Division region, Branch 11 at Marabang, Davao del Sur.
