Philippine leader of Islamist militants hiding in mosque in Marawi: Military
NAN-F-15
Militant
Manila, July 3, 2017 (dpa/NAN) The leader of Islamist militants battling government troops for more than a month in the southern Philippines is believed to be hiding in a mosque in besieged Marawi City, the defence chief said on Monday.
The military earlier reported that it was checking reports that Isnilon Hapilon had slipped out of Marawi, 800 km of Manila, leaving behind his men in what it dubbed a cowardly act.
However, the Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the latest information was that Hapilon was “still inside Marawi.”
“The information we got this morning is that he is hiding in one of the mosques there in Marawi.
“There will be a creation of an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of the city.
“Intelligence information also showed that Hapilon was not among three fighters who fled Marawi over a week ago and returned to the province of Basilan, the militant leader’s stronghold,” Lorenzana told a press conference.
The military said fighting in Marawi City has left at least 459 people dead, including 336 militants and 84 government troops, saying “at least 39 civilians have also been killed by the militants.’’
The conflict began on May 23 when hundreds of militants allied with the Islamic State terrorist movement went on a rampage in Marawi after government troops attempted to arrest Hapilon.
More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Marawi and nearby towns, and to stay in either evacuation centres or live with relatives in poor conditions.
Health officials said that at least 27 evacuees have died in hospital due to complications from various illnesses since the conflict started. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Abdullahi Yusuf