Maute brothers 'very likely' dead — Wesmincom chief
June 23, 2017 | 7:47am
Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who is commanding ground troops in Marawi City, said that Omar (L) and Madi Maute were likely killed in the ground attacks. He, however, said they are still unsure about the fate of Abdullah (R), the elder Maute brother who is the head and founder of the group, and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. File
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said two of the Maute brothers were "very likely" killed in the intense military bombardment and ground attacks in Marawi City.
“The information we have disclosed that very likely Omar (Omarkhayam) and Madi (both of the Maute brothers) were already killed,” Galvez said.
The military official, however, said they are still unsure about the fate of Abdullah, the elder Maute brother who is the head and founder of the group, and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Galvez said Hapilon, Abdullah and the remaining militants who besieged the largely Muslim city of Marawi are being subjected to intense military airstrikes and ground offensive operations.
Last Maute defensive points breached
Galvez, who is commanding military on the ground, said troops have successfully breached into the remaining defense positions of the terrorists and discovered the tunnels utilized by the group as bunkers and bomb shelters.
“There [was] stench because of the dead bodies of the suspects terror members dumped in the tunnels,” Galvez said.
“Their tipping point is nearing,” Galvez said.
Hostages used as dummy fighters
Galvez said ISIS-inspired insurgents were using civilian hostages as “dummy” fighters “to make it appear they still have the numbers and at the same time confuse the soldiers in engaging the terrorists.”
The senior military commander, however, said that soldiers are able to distinguish civilians from combatants.
Meanwhile, Galvez also welcomed the support provided by the Australian military in defeating terrorism.
The Royal Australian Armed Forces sent its P-3 Orion surveillance planes to fly over Mindanao and provide technical intelligence.
“Any collective technical support is very much welcome. This ISIS phenomenon is global and to defeat the threat is for us to come together,” Galvez said.
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