A Taguig City court has convicted Ominta Romato Maute, the matriarch of the Maute family in Marawi City, for providing financial and logistic support to the terrorist group.
In a 39-page decision by the Taguig Regional Trial Court dated May 15, 2024, the Maute matriarch was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 4 of The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
It sentenced her to suffer the penalty of imprisonment from 17 years, four months, and one day to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment and a fine of PHP 500,000.
"After judicious review of the records and evidence of this case, the Court finds that the prosecution was able to prove the elements of the crime of financing,” it said.
The court said the prosecution was able to prove the elements of the crime of terrorism financing, namely her “willful intention in providing or making available property and that the property, in full or in part, made available is to be used to carry out or facilitate the commission of any terrorist act by a terrorist organization, association, group or individual terrorist.”
Court records showed that on July 29, 2016, Ominta allowed her Toyota Innova vehicle to be used by five terrorists, namely, Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute, Omarkhayam Romato Maute, Abdullah Romano Maute, Mahater Romato Maute, and Najib Pundug.
The vehicle was used in abducting and beheading civilians in Lanao del Sur from April 4 to 10, 2016.
"Evidently, the Toyota Innova was made available to be used to carry out or facilitate the commission of a terrorist attack committed by a terrorist organization, in this case, the Maute Terrorist Group and or ISIS Ranao," the court said.
"All told, the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of Ominta Romato Maute for the crime of violation of Section 4 of R.A. 10168. Consequently, Ominta shall be meted with the penalty of reclusion temporal of 17 years, four months and one day to reclusion perpetua and to pay a fine of P500,000," it added.
The court said the vehicle would be forfeited in favor of the government.
It likewise ordered the authorities to destroy the ea Projectile 105mm HE; IED components, two ea batteries of different brands, a handheld radio, an improvised blasting cap, a PCB with red and green LED, and an arming switch.
The court told the authorities to report compliance with its order.
