AFP: Omar may be the sole Maute leading fight in Marawi

OMAR Maute is believed to be the lone Maute family member leading the Islamist fighters that laid siege to strife-torn Marawi City, the spokesperson of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday.

In a press conference, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. said he received information from Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez that six of Omar’s brothers may have died during a firefight with security troops in Marawi.

Padilla said that the reported deaths of six Maute brothers are still subject to verification.

“We got word from the commander on the ground, Lieutenant General Galvez, and as you have been hearing the last few days, they have reason to believe that only one of the Maute brothers remains in the fight, and this is Omar,” the military spokesman said.

“The rest are believed to have been killed. But just the same, we need to, with finality and certainty, recover their bodies subject them to DNA testing before a categorical statement can be issued,” he added.

Omar and Abdullah Maute, along with five of their siblings, were believed to be in Marawi since the fighting erupted in May.

The Maute brothers are reportedly in cahoots with alleged IS emir to the Philippines, Isnilon Hapilon, to launch brutal offensives against government forces to successfully occupy Marawi and turn it into their enclave.

Padilla said the military believed that Hapilon was still fighting the state forces in Marawi, contrary to persistent reports that he fled the beleaguered city.

“There are reports that he (Hapilon) already escaped and is now outside Marawi. That’s not true,” he said.

“If he did that, he left his comrades still holed up in Marawi, it would be a slap on his face and he will no longer be recognized as one of the leaders of the group. So that’s far from the truth. We believe that he’s still there, joining his comrades,” he added.

After the terrorists attacked Marawi on May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire Mindanao under martial law, which is effective until the end of December 2017.

Around 843 people – 653 enemies, 145 government troops, 4 civilians – have reportedly been killed since the armed conflict erupted in Marawi.

Padilla said the troops remain committed to ending the armed struggle in the soonest time possible, noting that only around 40 to 50 Islamist fighters are still holed up in a 20-hectare battle area.

“Fighting has been very fierce. It has been at close quarter battle in the area. But our forces are determined and are focused to seek to end this rebellion as soon as possible,” Padilla said.