3 Maute brothers killed; Omar still alive, says AFP

Omar Maute

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday said that three Maute brothers have been killed in Marawi City but leader Omar is still alive.

“Based on the debriefing of those captured and surrendered, si Omar Maute na lang ang nabubuhay. Abdullah, Madi at Otto, patay na lahat,” AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año  said in a press conference on Monday.

There are seven Maute siblings, but Omar and Abdullah led the fighters in Marawi City after they tried to evade the government’s arrest of purported leader of Islamic State in Southeast Asia Isnilon Hapilon last May 23.

Other Maute siblings are not as prominent as Omar and Abdullah.

Año said their information was based on the accounts of three arrested Maute members and a surrenderee.

“We also have sources inside, yan ay confirmation from different sources based on intelligence monitoring. Di na talaga lumalabas name nila except Omar and Hapilon,” he said.

Hapilon, a former Basilan-based commander of the Abu Sayyaf before he became the overall leader of IS in Southeast Asia, is still alive.

“We don’t want him to leave the main battle area,” Año said, adding that two groups led by Omar and Hapilon are leading the gunbattle.

There are still 40 to 60 hostages being held by the Maute group. Two were rescued last Saturday — Fr. Chito Soganub and Lordbin Acopio.