(CNN Philippines, June 6) — The father of the Maute brothers was arrested in Davao City on Tuesday morning.
Cayamora Maute was nabbed while on a rented passenger van with his family: Kongan Alfonso Balawag, his second wife, Norjannah Balawag Maute, his daughter, and Bengali Tinglao, his son-in-law.
The four were coming from Cotabato City, the local police said.
A certain Benzar Tingao contacted van driver Esmael Salazar Monday to supposedly take a patient to Tagum City from Cotabato City.
A grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, and P360,000 in cash were also found in the vehicle when it was stopped at a checkpoint in the sub-district of Toril.
In a press conference later in the afternoon, authorities confirmed the arrest of the 67-year-old Maute, who used to be a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The elder Maute said it had been a long time since he last talked to his sons and that he didn’t know about their plans and activities, specially about their links with the ISIS and the Marawi attack.
He said he just wanted to have himself checked and treated at a hospital in Davao City as he was having difficulty in walking.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum said they would be filing charges of rebellion against the five suspects: Maute, his three companions and the driver. This does not include the other charges stemming from the discovery of the pistol and grenade in the van.
Tagum said the suspects would be detained at the Davao City Police Office for the meantime.
