Army validating a Maute's death

GOVERNMENT troops are now investigating the possibility that Omarkhayam Maute, one of the founders of the Isis-inspired terrorist Maute Group, is likely killed during the over a month armed encounter in Marawi City.

Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) deputy commander and Martial Law spokesperson Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay said yesterday that they cited indications and received reports that the terrorist leader is already dead amid the clashes but it is still being validated.

“There are indicators that Omarkhayam, one of the Maute brothers, has been killed,” Gapay affirmed.

According to him, military officers have been recovering cadavers after successfully penetrating the strongholds of the Maute members.

They are still looking at the possibility that the body is either still in the area or he is one of those who were recovered by the authorities. It could also be possible that the body of Omar was brought by his allied rebels and buried.

“We are still identifying some of those recovered if indeed isa ‘yon ay kay Omar,” he said.

Gapay said Abdullah Maute and Ispilon Hapilon are still alive and leading the war in Marawi City.

The bodies that were so far recovered in the war zone have reached to around 200 bodies and of this number, eight of them are foreign terrorists.

Gapay said that they have accounted 40 foreign terrorists who are in the country and some are in Marawi City or hiding in different areas in the country.

Based on their data, there are still around 100 to 150 rebels whp are still in Marawi City fighting the government while

around 280 have been killed.

Rebels mixing with evacuees

Gapay admitted that some Maute members are acting as evacuees to escape the crisis.

“Yong isa, si Abu Jadid, which we arrested in Cagayan de Oro have slip the cordon in Marawi and Iligan by having that fake ID as an MSU student,” he said.

These terrorists, who are listed in the arrest order, are being tracked down.

“We would see additional arrest to the executed in the coming days,” he said.

They have been getting additional information on the terrorist group from the arrested individuals. There were nine Maute members who were captured and five are being questioned.