3 people surnamed Maute released after being held at NAIA

Three people surnamed Maute have been cleared after they were earlier detained for suspected links to the ISIS-inspired group involved in the siege of Marawi City.

According to a report by Oscar Oida on "24 Oras," Yasser Maute and his two sons were freed after showing a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.

The Mautes were bound for Malaysia.

"Ihahatid sana 'yung mga bata sa Malaysia para mag-aral dahil doon nag-aral 'yung mga bata, nagbakasyon lang sila dito so babalik sila doon, ito ang nangyari na hinarang sila ng immigration officer at saka 'yung intel diyan sa airport," said Alexander Bandrang, a relative of Yasser, who noted that the detainees had with them NBI clearances.

"Masakit man sabihin na not less than the Secretary of Justice... na siya pa ang witness nang mag-clearance kami. Bakit 'di i-honor ng immigration officer at intel? Ano ba tayo kangaroo country?" he added.

The legal counsel of Yasser said not all persons who have the surname Maute are connected to the local terrorist group.

"I just want to clear this that not all Maute-bearing family names are ISIS. I would also like to request these reporters not to call these Mautes. They should call it ISIS-linked because not all Mautes are members of this ISIS. We are condemning the act of this ISIS," said Atty. Elis Yusoph.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, said the Mautes underwent verification of their identities.

"So kung wala talagang makitang legal ground na i-hold sila further, why hold them further? I-release sila pero 'yun nga malaman 'yan after the investigation," said PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa.

On Monday afternoon, seven passengers were held at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for suspected links with Maute group.

They were identified as Mawiyag Cota, Acmali Mawiyag, Abdulcahar Maute, Al Nizar Maute, Abdulrahman Maute, Yasser Maute, and Ashary Maute. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News