People surnamed Maute lament discrimination

Although they are far from the battle zone in Marawi City, some people surnamed Maute are facing their own battle against discrimination.

According to a report on Unang Balita on Tuesday, the lives of Elias Maute and his entire family have changed ever since the ISIS-linked Maute group staged attacks in Marawi City on May 23.

Elias said the seven people surnamed Maute recently held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and barred from flying to Malaysia are his relatives. They were eventually released.

"Noong umpisa, parang binalewala lang namin kasi hindi namin akalain na ganito magiging resulta, na ma-bu-bully ang mga anak namin, ma-ho-hold ka sa eroplano," he said.

Elias said the recent airport incident at NAIA was not the first time his relatives were held before boarding a plane.

"Iyong anak ko na-hold sa (airline) noong umuwi sila sa Mindanao. Ang tagal nila. Halos umalis na iyong eroplano bago pa sila nakasakay," he said.

Elias added that young children are not spared from discrimination.

"Noong pumutok 'yang sa Butig, mga ISIS na 'yan, 'yung anak ko na-bully sa eskwelahan. Sinabi ng classmate niya, 'Maute kayo, mamumugot ng ulo.' Napatakbo po ako sa eskwela," he said.

Because of this, his child stopped going to school.

Elias also said he is now hesitant to have his children use their student IDs for transactions to get discounts, as this may cause trouble instead.

He clarified that they have no relations with the Mautes from Butig, Lanao del Sur.

"Halos hindi namin kilala sila. Nakilala lang namin sila sa TV at saka sa dyaryo. Doon namin nalaman na may kaapelyido kami sa Butig pero iisang pamilya lang daw po 'yan. Kami po sa lugar namin sa Mulondo, Lanao del Sur, libo po ang dami namin na nakakalat sa Metro Manila at Luzon na naghahanapbuhay," he said.

Appeal to government, public

Elias is appealing to the public to widen their understanding as not all people surnamed Mautes are terrorists.

"Ang mensahe ko sa mga tao, palawakin ang pang-unawa at pag-intindi," he said.

Elias also added that he and his family are hoping that the name "Maute" be dropped when referring to the terror group in Marawi City. They should instead be just referred to as ISIS, he said.

"Kaming mga Maute na magpipinsan at magkakapatid ay nag-usap-usap na kailangan natin na hilingin sa gobyerno, sa media, na tanggalin iyong Maute. Tutal tinatanggap ng mga ISIS na 'yan na ISIS sila at saka Dawla Islamiya, kaya hinihiling namin sa gobyerno na alisin na iyong ISIS-Maute. Dapat ISIS na lang," he said. —KG, GMA News