ATC: 2 persons allegedly linked to Maute Group designated as terrorists

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) on Tuesday designated two individuals as terrorists over their alleged affiliation with the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group.

Based on ATC Resolution No. 42 approved on July 26, the Council designated Hafida Romato Maute (Kadija Maute, Khadeejah Hamal, Dra, or Tahera) and Nahara Khairiya Sittie Hamim as terrorists.

The ATC said Hafida was the wife of the former Amir of the Islamic State-East Asia, Abu Zacharia.

According to the ATC, the violations committed by Hafida under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) included committing terrorism; and planning, training, preparing, and facilitating the commission of terrorism.

Meanwhile, the ATC said Nahara was the wife of the group’s sub-leader and finance and logistics officer, Abu Mursid or Morsid.

According to the ATC, Nahara’s violation under the ATA is committing terrorism.

“It was discovered that [Hafida and Nahara] have personal knowledge and were present at the residence where the group planned to conduct bombings,” the ATC said.

Firearms, explosives, and items for creating bombs were allegedly confiscated from the two when authorities served a warrant of arrest, according to the ATC.

The ATC recalled that in an earlier resolution it designated the Maute Group, which was behind the 2017 Marawi siege, and its other related groups as a terrorist group. — DVM, GMA Integrated News