Military confirming reports Maute brothers killed in firefight
The military is confirming reports that Maute brothers Omar and Madie were killed in clashes between government troops and Islamic State-linked terrorists in Marawi City.
Philippine Army 1st Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera on Saturday said there were “strong indications” that Omar and Madie, two of several Maute siblings tagged in terror activities, were killed in government offensives.
“There are reports that Omar and Madie were killed in the operations. We are still validating this report but there are strong indications that they [were] killed,” he said in a press briefing.
Herrera, however, did not say when the terrorists were killed and in which specific operation.
Firefights between government troops and terror groups are now into its third week.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Año previously said President Rodrigo Duterte earlier offered a P5 million reward for the arrest of Omar and another Maute sibling Abdullah.
The reported death of the two extremists comes following the arrest of the Maute family’s matriarch, Ominta Romato “Farhana” Maute, on Friday afternoon.
Farhana and two other injured Maute group members were arrested after their vehicle was intercepted in Brgy. Kormatan, Masiu town, ARMM Regional Police Director Reuben Theodore Sindac said.
Sources said Farhana, mother of the terror leaders, was the group’s courier, financier, and link to foreign terror groups.
Herrera said Farhana has been transported away from Marawi City to a “safe place,” and is now currently undergoing investigation.
He also confirmed that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon was still in Marawi City.
Clashes had erupted between state forces and terror groups on May 23 following an attempt to arrest the terror leader, said to be the anointed ISIS chief in Southeast Asia.
The military earlier released a video of Hapilon and cohorts plotting attacks around Marawi City days before the siege began.
The Maute’s patriarch, Cayamora Maute, was also apprehended Tuesday morning at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.
Government troops have killed more than 100 terrorists since firefights began.
COTABATO CITY, June 10 — Founding leaders of Maute Terrorist Group fighting the government forces, Omar and Mhade Maute, were killed in the ongoing military offensives in Marawi City, the Army today said.
This according to Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson, during a news conference Saturday afternoon.
“We are validating this information but that is the report,” Herrera said.
Herrera said the local government of Masiu and civilians helped in the arrest of Farhana Maute, mother of siblings Abdul, Omar and Mhade Maute on Friday night.
Mhade was the one arguing with Abdulah Maute in a video, showing how they prepared the plan to invade Marawi City.
To date, a total of 58 government forces have been killed in the operation against ISIS linked Maute. The latest were 13 members of Philippine Marines, Herrera said.
One of the fatalities was 1st Lt. Sevillano, a Marine company commander, of Marine unit that recovered PHP52 million cash and firearms of Maute.
Twelve other Marines were killed during Friday’s skirmishes, Herrera said.
“We are on the offensive mode, we are constantly moving toward the position of enemies, unfortunately we incurred several casualties, we are doing our best to re-strategize,” he said.
“The enemy has strong defensive positions, maximize presence of high structure buildings and civilian hostages used as human shields,” he added.
“We are making adjustments in our offensives,” he said, adding that air strikes were effective in the operations.
“We hit the logistical hubs, several command and control and communications and snipers’ nest of Maute,” Herrera said.
“We have so many head ways, we are close to their exact positions, lumalakas and firefight,” the official said. (EOF/PNA) [source]
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