Abu Sayyaf’s Isnilon Hapilon still in Marawi –military official

Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the subject of a joint law enforcement operation, is still in Marawi City, a regional military spokesman said Thursday.

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said they received intelligence reports that Hapilon and his group have been cited in Marawi.

“According sa intelligence reports natin sa mga community ay sighted, nandito pa siya (Hapilon), nandito pa ‘yung mga grupo nila,” Herrera told reporters.

On Wednesday, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said they have received intelligence report that Hapilon was in Marawi so they conducted an operation together with the Philippine National Police.

“Meron po tayong mahalagang imporrmasyon na natangap na ang isa sa high value target natin ay nandyan sa isang lugar sa Marawi. Acting on this intelligence information, bumuo po tayo ng isang law enforcement operation, ang AFP at ang PNP upang dakpin, hulihin, at isilbi ang warrant sa high value target na ito,” he said.

He said the supporters and sympathizers of the Maute group conducted attacks in other places to divert the attention of the government forces. The Maute and Abu Sayyaf have reportedly joined forces against the government.

“Noong nagsagawa ng law enforcement operation, pinutukan ‘yung ating security forces and that triggered the incident because noong malaman ng mga supporters at sympathizers  ng local terrorist group, na-engage ‘yung kanilang mga kasamahan, gumawa sila ng harassments sa iba’t ibang lugar at installation sa Marawi upang idivert ang attention at agawin ang ating pansin sa engagement operation,” he said.

Herrera said the Maute group members are moving from one place to another.

“Very fluid, very dynamic (ang situation), ‘yung movement po ng local terrorist group ay hindi po fixed, nagmomove sila so ganun din tayo, iyong armed forces natin ay kailangang magreposition para totally ma-outstep , ma-outmaneuver natin ang local terrorist group,” he said.

Asked on the presence of foreign fighters, Herrera said they have not received any report on such.

“Historically kasi may ties ito e, itong local terrorist groups, saka yung mga foreign jihadists (pero) right now wala po kaming report niyan,” he said.

He said their operation is now focused in Barangays Gandungan, Basak Malulut, and Dangan.

He said they are very careful in their moves to avoid collateral damage and further casualties.

“Nagi-ingat po tayo na huwag magkaroon ng collateral damage and we are thankful, very happy na sa record namin wala pang collateral damage as of now because of very deliberate, very precise po na operation,” he said.

He said there are now at least 1,300 internally displaced persons who are now staying at Saguiaran Municipal Hall.

He said they were using combined arms or combination of armor assets including infantry, special operations units, and other army capabilities.

He said they were instructed to secure vital operations  including those in adjacent municipalities such as Ilingan and Cagayan de Oro, to prevent a spill over.

As of posting time, five soldiers and two police officials have been killed and 31 government troops were wounded in the ongoing firefight. — RSJ, GMA News