(Eagle News) — The Department of Justice has dismissed the rebellion complaint against the widow of slain Maute terrorist group leader Otto Maute.
In a resolution dated March 7, the DOJ ruled there was a lack of probable cause for the complaint filed by the police and the military against Najiya Dilangalen Karon-Maute.
She was arrested in January by the police and the military who accused her of aiding members of the terrorist group.
In junking the complaint against her, the DOJ ruled that the act of giving food was not tantamount to abetting a rebellion, based on a decision of the Supreme Court in 1963.
“For one to be held liable for rebellion as a leader, one must promote, maintain or head a rebellion. One can be held liable as a participant to the crime of rebellion where one participates or executes the commands of others in rebellion,” the DOJ said.
Members of the Maute group overran Marawi in May, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.
He declared the city liberated from the clutches of the terrorists following the deaths of Karon-Maute’s husband and Isnilon Hapilon.