‘Malaysian terrorist is new IS emir’

MANILA, Philippines — Malaysian terrorist Amin Baco is the new leader of the Islamic State (IS) in Southeast Asia, replacing Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf who was killed by government troops in Marawi City.

“He assumed the position of Hapilon as the emir of IS-Southeast Asia,” Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa told a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

The information was reportedly revealed by Muhammad Ilham Syahputra, an Indonesian terrorist who was arrested in Marawi last week.

During tactical interrogation, Syahputra disclosed that Baco assumed leadership not only of the 39 terrorists still holed out in Marawi but also their affiliates in Southeast Asia.

Baco is among two Malaysians spotted in Marawi. Another Indonesian terrorist is believed to be still inside the city.

Dela Rosa said there are reports that Baco has already slipped out of Marawi.

“That information is being validated,” he said.

PNP Deputy Director General for Operations Fernando Mendez said Baco was with fellow Malaysian Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a terrorist killed in a bloody police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015 which left 44 Special Action Force commandos dead.

Baco is one of the longest staying foreign terrorists in the country based on intelligence reports.

“He was with Marwan for a long time. He is one of the most experienced foreign terrorists in the country,” Mendez said.

Baco was also in Mamasapano during the bloody police operation in 2015 but was in another location within the town, Mendez added.

Meanwhile, Syahputra was presented to members of the media yesterday.

Considered as a high-risk detainee, Dela Rosa said Syahputra was a drone operator for the terrorists and monitored the movement of government troops during the five-month battle in Marawi.

He is detained in Camp Crame on charges of illegal possession of firearms and possession of explosives.

Terrorists who remain in Marawi are now considered as stragglers by the authorities.

Maute wife financed terror group

“The Indonesian wife of slain terrorist Omarkhayam Maute acted as the financier of the Maute terror group,” Dela Rosa said.

Minhati Madrais, also known as Baby, handled the finances and logistics of the terror group just like Maute’s mother Farhana.

“They were on the logistics and financial side like other female members of the group,” Dela Rosa said.

Madrais was among 100 people ordered arrested by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. She was caught in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.

She was with her six children at the time of her capture.

Dela Rosa said Madrais’ other role was propagating the doctrines of IS in the country, describing her as a “hardcore” follower.

With Madrais now under government custody, Dela Rosa expects the terrorists to get weaker.

“Simple mathematics. It’s minus one personality so their organization will weaken,” he said.

Troops kill 9 more stragglers

In Zamboanga City, troops on relentless clearing operation killed Sunday at least nine more pro-IS Maute group stragglers inside the devastated center of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, according to a security official. 

The fresh encounter also prompted the military to warn residents that the main battle area remained off limits to the public.

“The presence of the terrorist-stragglers poses danger to civilians in the area,” Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ranao and 103rd Army Brigade. 

Brawner said the slain stragglers were believed to be part of the remaining Maute-IS terrorists who survived intense military offensives following the fall of the militants last Oct. 23. 

The Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups with their foreign fighters laid siege to Marawi last May 23 and held the city center for five months. 

According to Brawner, the death of the terrorists was a result of the fierce encounter early dawn and late afternoon last Sunday. 

He said among those killed was Ibrahim Maute alias Abu Jamil, a cousin of the Maute brothers Omarkhayam and Abdulah, both leaders of the Maute group who were killed in recent offensives. 

Brawner said the clearing will continue on the ground as there are still unaccounted for stragglers hiding in a labyrinth of tunnels dug by the terrorists to survive intense bombardment at the height of the liberation of Marawi from terrorist occupation.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Westmincom), said they are verifying reports if among those killed were a certain Bahaman, an Indonesian jidahist, and Abdullah Hapilon, son of the slain Isnilon. – Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude