Troops' next target is Maute's Malaysian financier

ZAMBOANGA CITY — After troops successfully neutralized terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf and Omar Maute, leader of the Maute group, government forces are now pursuing a Malaysian terrorist who is connected with the Islamic State.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said Dr. Mahmud Ahmad is a remaining leader of the terrorist coalition that has pledged allegiance to and received support from the ISIS in the Middle East. Ahmad believed to be a recruiter and financier of the group.

At a news conference on Monday confirming the deaths of Hapilon and Maute, Año said Ahmad, a professor, is still hiding along with eight other foreign fighters who of Indonesian and Malaysian descent.

Año said Ahmad and the foreign fighters are likely remained holed up in Marawi's main battle areas following reports of the death of Hapilon, who is the designated emir or chieftain for Southeast Asia of the ISIS. 

READ: DND: Hapilon, Maute deaths imply end of Marawi conflict

The military chief said troops were pursuing Ahmad and the foreign fighters with their local members who control two remaining hectares in the formerly besieged southern Islamic city.

Soldiers observed that the foreign fighters were starting to evade firefight unlike in the early stages of the conflict. For the military, this suggests a considerely diminished enemy force.

"Their attitude was not like before, they were no longer that aggressive. I’m optimistic we will get them all," Año said.

READ:  How Maute, Hapilon died in one of last Marawi gunfights

The AFP chief said the 147 days of intense fighting—which started in May—left around 824 terrorists killed, 837 firearms recovered and 1,771 hostages were rescued.

A total of 162 government security forces were killed and thousands others were wounded.

Año said troops were still trying to rescue 22 hostages who are with 38 civilian relatives tagged along by the Maute militants.