Philippines designates two women as IS terrorists
One of them is the widow of a slain IS Southeast Asia leader.
MANILA: The Philippine government has designated two women as terrorists over their alleged link to a pro-IS local terror group in Mindanao.
The Anti-Terrorism Council’s (ATC) Resolution No. 42 approved on July 26 designated Hafida Romato Maute, also known as Kadija Maute, Khadeejah Hamal, Dra and Tahera; as well as Nahara Khairiya Sittie Hamim, as terrorists over their alleged affiliation with the Maute Group.
The ATC said Hafida was the wife of the recently slain leader of the Maute Group and IS Southeast Asia, Faharuddin Hadji Sattar, also known as Abu Zacharia.
The ATC alleged that among the offences under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) committed by Hafida were terrorism as well as planning, training, preparing and facilitating terrorism.
Meanwhile, the ATC said Nahara was the wife of the group’s sub-leader and finance and logistics officer, Abu Mursid or Morsid. She allegedly committed terrorism under the ATC.
“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 in a statement.
Firearms, explosives and bombmaking components were allegedly seized from the two women during an operation to serve a warrant of arrest, according to the ATC.
The ATC recalled that it designated the Maute Group, also known as Dawlah Islamiyah - Lanao, and other related outfits as terrorist groups in an earlier resolution.
The Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group laid siege over the southern city of Marawi in 2017, resulting in a five-month battle that killed more than 1,200 people, mostly militants.