Courtesy: Philippine National Police
OMINTA Romato Maute, alleged financier of terrorism linked to the notorious Maute family in Marawi City has been convicted by Taguig City Regional Trial Court.
Ominta, also known as Farhana Maute, has found guilty of violating Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10168, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
RTC Branch 266 sentenced Maute to 17 years, four months, and one day to reclusion perpetua, and fined P500,000, according to the 39-page decision dated May 15, 2024.
Court records show that on July 29, 2016, Maute allowed her Toyota Innova to be used by five terrorists, including Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute and Omar Khayam Romato Maute.
State forces intercepted the vehicle the same day, recovering several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) after the passengers fled.
Maute and the five terrorists were involved in kidnapping and beheading civilians in Lanao del Sur from April 4 to 10, 2016.
The court ruled that Maute knowingly made her vehicle available to the terrorists, fulfilling the elements of terrorism financing.
“The prosecution proved the elements of the crime of terrorism financing,” Judge Marivic C. Vitor said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla praised the conviction as a significant victory in the fight against terrorism.
