HAS TERROR CHIEF FLED MARAWI?
Abu Sayyaf’s Isnilon may have left war zone
ABU Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, one of America’s most wanted terrorists, may have deserted his companions as Philippine authorities close in to recapture troubled Marawi.
In his absence in the capital of the Lanao del Sur province in Mindanao, the remaining followers of the Abu Sayyaf-Maute group leader, who is aligned to the Islamic State (IS), are fighting with each other as the military advances.
Philippines Armed Forces public affairs chief Colonel Edgard Arevalo, in a media briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in Manila, said it was just a matter of time before the military completed its mission, now that Isnilon had left Marawi.
Malaysian authorities believe Isnilon had fled with Malaysian Dr Mahmud Ahmad.
“The latest information that we received from those that we rescued was that they had not seen Isnilon in the areas where they were once held hostage,” he said, adding that the armed forces would continue to hunt him down.
Arevalo said there was infighting among groups of militants since Isnilon fled, “especially on finances, waning logistical support and the remaining logistics they have in their possession”.
On Mahmud’s whereabouts or word of his death, Arevalo said they were not able verify the fact, despite having received information about the Malaysian succumbing to wounds on June 7 in Marawi.
“Mahmud was said to have been wounded from operations launched against the Maute group, led by Abdullah Maute.
“He is said to be buried in a cemetery in Marawi.
“But again, this is something that we have to validate and check.”
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had said the 41-year-old university lecturer-turned-militant may have fled Marawi with Isnilon, and dismissed claims he was killed.
Based on reports from ground zero, Arevalo said the most compelling information they had received were about militants executed by their own members for wanting to surrender, as well as news about civilians forced to bear arms to fight off soldiers.
“There were reports that the civilians were asked to carry ammunition and ordnance.”
Arevalo said 150 to 200 civilian hostages were trapped in the city and that there were between 100 and 120 Maute members there.
“Those are indicators we are winning this fight,” Arevalo said.
More than 350 people were reportedly killed and more than 250,000 displaced in the battle that has been going on for over a month.