By FROILAN GALLARDO
Special Correspondent
MARAWI City–Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año on Tuesday said the deaths of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute don’t mean the fightings in Marawi City would end.
Explosions can still be heard in Bangolo on Tuesday as troops continued to fight the estimated 30 remaining Isis-Maute fighters who are still holding some 20 hostages.
“We will not be going after the terrorists until all the hostages are freed,” Año said.
With the death of Hapilon and Maute, Año said the leadership of Isis-Maute group fell on the hands of its alleged Malaysian financier Mahmud Ahmad.
Año said Mahmud is now leading the remaining Maute gunmen, including six to eight foreigners, fighting troops inside a small property beside Lake Lanao.
He said the remaining Isis fighters, including Mahmud, were suffering from low-morale following Hapilon’s and Maute’s deaths
“Their attitude is now different, they are no longer as aggressive as before,” Año said.
Año said the Armed Forces and the National Police are also monitoring for reprisal attacks from towns and cities where there were heavy recruitment for Isis members.
The remaining Isis leader who carry the nom de guerre of “Mohammad” can still remain a big problem for the government.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the arrest orders of the 500 people wanted for supporting Isis issued last May, is still in effect.
On Tuesday, amid the shouts of euphoria from battle-hardened soldiers, President Duterte declared this predominantly Muslim city “liberated” from Isis-inspired terrorism.
Duterte led the troops in raising the flag, shouting “Mabuhay! Mabuhay,” as heavy downpour fell from the overcast skies.
The announcement came a day after the battlefield deaths of Hapilon and Maute.
Duterte gave medals, pistols and gifts to military and police officials who planned the operation against the terrorist leaders.
He promoted Army Chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista to three-star general rank.
Duterte also met some of the child hostages rescued by the soldiers in the past two weeks.
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