Top Malaysian terrorist believed among killed

MARAWI CITY -- The military said Dr. Ahmad Mahmud, a top Malaysian terrorist, is believed to be among 13 Islamic State (IS) group-linked fighters killed overnight in clashes in this southern city.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines though is still confirming the report.

Joint Task Group Ranao deputy commander Colonel Romeo Brawner said the information came from two hostages who were rescued by the troops on Wednesday evening, October 18.

Mahmud is a Malaysian terrorist who allegedly funded the Maute terror group to stage its attack in Marawi City.

Major General Restituto Padilla said that officials were awaiting the recovery of the body to get full confirmation.

“For Dr. Mahmud, he will undergo DNA examination to confirm it was really him,” Brawner added.

He said retrieval operations on the killed terrorist are ongoing, noting that the enemies are still in a defensive position where they used their hostages as human shield.

“Actually, the day na napatay si (Isnilon) Hapilon and Omar (Maute), sabi nung mga tropa kaya na daw sana nila pasukin pa ‘yung ibang kalaban pero naririnig nila nagiyakan ‘yung ibang hostages na mga babae at bata kaya nag back-off sila (The day Hapilon and Maute were killed, the troops said they are supposed to penetrate the terrorists position but they heard the children and women hostages crying, that is why they backed off),” he said.

Brawner said that from October 17 to 18, 20 rebels, allegedly including Mahmud, were killed in the fighting.

Six soldiers were slightly wounded and two civilian hostages — a mother and her teenage daughter — were rescued Thursday morning, October 19, said Padilla. SunStar Philippines