[Reuters] The father of the leaders of the Maute group that seized control of Marawi in May died while in government custody. Cayamora Maute was taken to a hospital on Sunday afternoon with high blood pressure but he died along the way, the Philippine prison bureau said.The occupation of Marawi City by the Maute group, led by his two sons and which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, triggered a brutal urban battle that entered its fourth month last week.
Maute had several ailments when he was taken into custody in June, including diabetes and hypertension, Xavier Solda, spokesman at the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology said. The extent of his involvement in the group is unclear but when he was arrested in June, a military spokesman expressed hope he could persuade his sons to stop fighting and surrender.
In a statement, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduaro Año said, "This is an unfortunate incident for his family, but more so to the victims of terrorism in Marawi and their relatives who are awaiting justice and expecting that Cayamora would answer and atone for his involvement in the Marawi rebellion."