DNA test confirms top terror suspect Hapilon dead

MANILA: DNA tests have confirmed the death of one of the FBI’s most-wanted terror suspects, who the Philippine military reported was killed in a final battle to quell an Islamic State group-linked siege in southern Marawi city, US and Philippine officials said.

US Embassy spokesman Molly Koscina said that DNA tests done in Virginia at the request of the Philippine military confirmed the death of Isnilon Hapilon. Washington has backed efforts by the Philippines, a treaty ally, to combat terrorism for years.

“This is yet another example of how the U.S. is supporting our friend, partner and ally in the fight against terror,” Koscina said.

Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute, another leader of the Marawi siege, were killed in a gunbattle last Monday in a push by thousands of troops to retake the last pocket of the Islamic city held by the militants, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

The Philippine military believes that Mahmud bin Ahmad, a top Malaysian militant and close associate of Hapilon, had also been killed in the Marawi clashes, although his body has yet to be recovered by troops.

DNA tests were also being done on the remains of other suspects who have been recovered by troops, Lorenzana said without elaborating.

The confirmation of the deaths of Hapilon and Maute would pave the way for the payment of huge US and Philippine bounties offered for the two.

A rescued 16-year-old hostage provided the crucial information that allowed troops to locate Hapilon and Maute in one building in Marawi, Lorenzana said.

The US State Department has offered a reward of up to US$5mil (RM21mil) for Hapilon, who Washington blames for ransom kidnappings of several Americans, one of whom was beheaded in 2001 in southern Basilan province.

Hapilon had been indicted in the District of Columbia for his alleged involvement in terrorist acts against US nationals and other foreigners.