THE Maute brothers’ father, who is considered brains of the terror group, and three others nabbed at the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Sirawan village on June 6, are set to face trial before the court in Davao City.
Cayamora Maute, Norjannah Maute–Tingao, Benzar Ali Iman Tingao, and Kongan Alfonsa Balawag, were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The two separate cases filed against the four accused were raffled off to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 dated on June 13. The cases were filed on the same date and were received by the Davao court on Wednesday, June 14.
Cayamora and Nurjanna Maute, reportedly, have outstanding warrants of arrest for kidnapping, illegal detention, and illegal possession of explosives issued by the regional trial court in Lanao del Sur.
The four accused were onboard a black Toyota Grandia van when they were nabbed on the routine check around 10 a.m. in Sirawan.
Cayamora tried to hide his identity through a face mask and sporting a clean cut image, prompting the authorities to hold them.
When authorities asked the man to show his face, a soldier noticed his resemblance to a photo on the tarpaulin signs of the wanted terrorists posted in all checkpoints in Davao City. The group was brought to the Davao City Police Office for investigation.
But upon cross-examination, Cayamora, who initially presented himself with a different name, admitted that he is the wanted Cayamora in terrorist gallery.
Recovered from their possession were P363,000 cash, several identification cards (IDs), caliber.45 pistol, grenade and personal belongings. The black Grandia van was also impounded.
After a day in detention at the DCPO jail facility, the four accused were transferred to Manila on June 7, Wednesday, for security reasons. The four were airlifted via a C130 of the Philippine Air Force.
The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office earlier filed a petition before the Department of Justice to transfer the trial of the Maute group members from Davao City to Manila for security reasons.
