Ominta Romato "Farhana" Maute after her arrest in Lanao del Sur in June 2017. Handout photo/file 

MANILA — The Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266 has found Ominta Romato Maute also known as Farhana Maute guilty of violation of Republic Act No. 10168 or the Anti-Terrorism Financing Act.

In the decision of the court promulgated on May 15, 2024, Maute was sentenced to reclusion temporal or 17 years up to reclusion perpetua and to pay a fine of P500,000.

Court records show that in the case that was filed against Maute, she allowed terrorists Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute, Mahater Romato Maute and Najib Pundug to use her Toyota Innova to kidnap Salvador Janubas, Julito Janubas, Jaymart Capangpangan, Gabriel Permitis, Adonis Mendez and Alfredo Cano-os in Butig, Lanao del Sur in 2016.

The court noted that aside from the vehicle, other properties such as explosive devices were used to commit the crime and were ordered confiscated.

“After judicious review of the records and evidence of this case, the court finds that the prosecution was able to prove the elements of the crime of financing,” Presiding Judge Marivic Vitor said in the decision.

The court also noted in the decision that Ominta confirmed that her sons Omar and Abdullah established ISIS in the Philippines.

Omar and Abdullah were tagged as the masterminds in the Marawi siege in 2017.

“Interestingly, accused Ominta, in her testimony also admitted and confirmed that her sons Omar and Abdullah were said to have established the ISIS,” Vitor said.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hailed government prosecutors for their “big win” against terrorism.

Remulla commended Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Peter Ong, Assistant State Prosecutor Jenny De Castro, Asisstant State Prosecutor Mary Grace Arboladura, Prosecution Attorney Ruth Anne P. Zamora and Prosecution Attorney Lyra Carissa Profugo.

“We will never let terrorism prevail nor let it sow fear among our people,” Remulla said.