ISNILON Hapilon, the Islamic State’s “emir” in Southeast Asia, and Dawlah Islamiyah founder Omarkhayam Maute are dead.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday confirmed the death of the two top terrorist leaders in Marawi City where the government troops operated to save 17 hostages on Sunday night.
“Yes, I confirm the killing of (Isnilon) Hapilon and Omar Maute this morning… early this morning,” Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said the government would announce the termination of hostilities once government forces have ensured that there are no more terrorists-stragglers in the city, and have cleared all structures of improvised explosive devices and other traps.
“After the fighting stops, we will refocus our efforts on the challenging task of rebuilding and rehabilitating Marawi,” Lorenzana said.
He said the bodies of the two terrorist leaders would be subjected to DNA tests, noting that these two have bounties on their heads from foreign countries.
Lorenzana also said government troops are now chasing a Malaysian terrorist who is fighting on the side of the Maute group in Marawi.
“There is still another personality that they are trying to get, Dr. Mamud, the,” he said.
He said there were reports that Mamud was still hiding in a building, “and that’s what they are trying to do now.”
Lorenzana confirmed the report from the Task Force Ranao that troops rescued 17 hostages in Marawi City on Sunday night.
Those rescued included childen, and all were brought to a “safe zone” where they were undergoing medical examination at presstime.
“They will also undergo debriefing,” said Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., deputy commander of Task Force Ranao.
Brawner said there were over 20 soldiers wounded in the ongoing battle, adding that the main battle area between troops and Maute terrorists shrunk to two hectares.
As of yesterday, the number of slain Maute terrorists were placed at 822 along with 162 troops killed in the Marawi fightings.
Armed Forces spokesman Col. Edgardo Arevalo said the military would continue with offensives to “neutralize” the remaining terrorists and rescue more hostages, and to end the crisis in Marawi.
The fightings in Marawi City broke out in May 23 after troops attempted to arrest Hapilon who was declared as the Isis “emir” in Southeast Asia.
The fightings prompted President Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the head of the Roman Catholic Prelature of Marawi believes the reported death of Hapilon and Maute would pave the way to the end of the Marawi crisis.
“Crumbling leadership signals the beginning of the end,” said Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña.
“I’m beginning to feel relieved,” he said. (pna)
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