Philippine President: Maute Group Founded by Former Police Officers

President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday revealed that the Maute rebel group fighting the military in Marawi City was founded by two former police officers involved in illegal drug activities.

“They were policemen in Manila who got hooked on methamphetamine money,” President Duterte said. “They came back here and set up one of the biggest drug labs in Lanao del Sur,” he said. Money from the drug trade was used to “fuel the movement.”

Omar Maute and Abdullah Maute, two founders of the Maute rebel group. Photo: Philstar

The two former police brothers recruited people, acquired local weapons sources, and turned the drug gang into an "enemy" of the government.

Through the Maute group, the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (IS) was able to enter the Philippines. "You can say IS is already here," Duterte said, noting that the group was using the IS flag. But some members joined for other reasons, perhaps out of discontent with certain politicians or anger with the government.

Mr Duterte said Maute even "imported" Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, who is considered by IS to be its leader in the Philippines.

According to VnExpress