Maute group
| Maute group | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Abdullah Maute Omar Maute |
| Foundation | 2013 |
| Dates of operation | 2013–present |
| Country | Philippines |
| Active regions | Mindanao |
| Ideology | Islamic fundamentalism |
| Notable attacks | February and November Butig clashes 2016 Davao City bombing 2017 Marawi clash |
| Size | unknown |
| Flag |  |
The Maute group, also known as the Pork chop trader of lanao del sur,[2] is a radical 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.[5][6] There are reports that Omar Maute, Abdullah's brother, was killed in that clash.[7] There are also reports to the contrary, claiming that he escaped before the camp was overrun and is still alive.[8] Since then the group, which a Philippine Army brigade commander characterized as terrorist,[9] 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.[9] They are said to be affiliated with Jemaah Islamiya,[5] 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.[10] 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.[11]
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.[12]
Activities
The Maute group is said to be actively recruiting minors for service as child warriors[13] and using the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as propaganda.[9] In April 2016, they abducted six sawmill workers from Butig,[14] two of whom were later found beheaded.[4]
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.[15] On November 28, the Philippine government finally officially acknowledged that Maute is linked to ISIS via a televised comment by President Rodrigo Duterte.[16]
On May 23, 2017, the Maute group attacked the city of Marawi in the Philippines. The attack resulted in the destruction of homes, the death of a soldier and the wounding of civilians, the torching of a mosque, and a hospital being overrun. The former leader of Abu Sayyaf, Isnilon Hapilon was seen with the group during the attack. The attack resulted in President Duterte declaring a state of martial law across the entire island of Mindanao. [17]
References
- ^ Franco, Joseph. "Mindanao after the Philippines presidential elections". Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Maute Group / Islamic State of Lanao / Daulat Ul Islamiya / Daulah Islamiyah". Terrorism Research and Tracking Consortium. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Espina-Varona, Inday (March 10, 2016). "Alphabet of terror in Philippines' political boiling pot". Catholic News Asia. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c d Unson, John (April 13, 2016). "Maute group beheads 2 captive sawmill workers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Ho, Alex (February 26, 2016). "AFP overruns extremists' camp in Lanao, 45 killed since fighting erupted". CNN Philippines. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Maitem, Jeoffrey (March 1, 2016). "Army regains control of Lanao Sur town, drives away ISIS-inspired group". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Gallardo, Froilan (March 24, 2016). "Army chief: Maute group is no ISIS". Mindanews. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Macabalang, Ali G. (March 7, 2016). "Maute brothers still alive". Tempo. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c Ansis, JC (March 3, 2016). "Butig clashes: What we know so far". CNN Philippines. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Relief goods needed as aerial bombing continues in Lanao del Sur town". CNN Philippines. February 25, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Pareño, Roel (March 10, 2016). "IS training manuals found at militants' camp". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Zambrano, Chiara (March 3, 2016). "The ties that bind MILF and Maute group". ABS-CBN. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Ermac, Bonita (March 2, 2016). "Child Warriors Told They'd go to Heaven". Mindanao Gold Star Daily. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Pareño, Roel (April 5, 2016). "Maute group abducts 6 sawmill workers in Lanao del Sur town". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Tan, Kimberly Jane. "'Maute Group' men arrested over Davao City blast". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Hader Glang (November 29, 2016). "Philippines officially recognizes Daesh role in south". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ Gomez, Jim (May 23, 2017). "Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Declares Martial Rule in Southern Part of Country". Time. Retrieved May 24, 2017.