LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines - The Maute terror group first emerged in Butig town in Lanao del Sur more than two years ago, just as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the Middle East started to hit the news. Founded by siblings Omar and Abdulla Maute, the group was originally named Dawlah Islamiya, but eventually became more known as the Maute terror group, now feared for its impunity. The Maute group became even more notoriously popular when its members beheaded in April 2016 captives Salvador Janobas and his younger brother, Jaymart, on mere suspicion they were spies of the military. The Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf fused ranks early this year, according to local officials in Lanao del Sur and sources in the Army’s intelligence community. The BIFF, the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group have a common denominator - that of using the black ISIS flag as their revolutionary banners.

Source: Philippine Star May 25, 2017 09:00 UTC