AN alleged supporter of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group was arrested in Quezon City on Friday morning, National Capital Police Regional Office Director Oscar Albayalde said. Albayalde said Malawani, owner of Salaam Bazaar at Novaliches Plaza Mall, was an alleged front for Ominta Romato Maute, also known as Farhana Maute, the mother of terrorist leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute who led the five-month siege of Marawi City. Malawani managed a social media account linked to the Maute group members and acted as its supplementary financier. Albayalde later clarified that Malawani was only a “supporter” and “sympathizer” of the Maute group, not an official member. The Maute siege of Maute lasted for five months and resulted in 1,000 deaths, including 831 terrorists, and displaced 400,000 residents.

Source: Manila Times October 27, 2017 16:40 UTC