ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The death of Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute marked the end of the siege of Marawi City and the beginning of the healing process and rehabilitation of the people in the Islamic city, said Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman.
“What happened in Marawi is sheer violence and terror rearing its ugly head against true Muslims and Moros, and yet it has failed to break our shared faith and our collective spirit,” Hataman said.
Hapilon, Abu Sayyaf leader and the designated emir of the Islamic State (IS) in Southeast Asia, and Maute, the remaining leader of the Maute group, were killed by Army Scout Rangers during pre-dawn operations yesterday that also led to the rescue of 17 hostages.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he would assess whether to lift martial law in Mindanao.
He said all cities in Mindanao with 22 million residents were vulnerable to attacks, but authorities would remain vigilant.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri who hails from Bukidnon in Mindanao, called for the continued implementation of martial law until Dec. 31, at least in Marawi, “so that human, material and financial resources can be fully utilized and rehabilitation will be achieved at a shorter time, sooner than later.”
Hataman assured the people of Marawi of the immediate rehabilitation of the thousands of residents affected by the fighting.
“Trust that we will remain in the service of the people as we end this dark time of our history, and will continue to provide the necessary resources and assistance to facilitate the transition and return to Marawi City with as much ease as possible,” he said.
He also cited the Maranao people’s unity that helped reclaim peace in Marawi, the most famous Islamic city in the Philippines.
He said the death of Hapilon would also hamper the operations of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu.
The killing of Hapilon left Furuji Indama as the remaining top Abu Sayyaf leader in Basilan.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said the end of the fighting in Marawi would allow the military to focus operations against the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan and Sulu and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fightets in Central Mindanao.
Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña yesterday said that he feels relieved to hear that the leadership of the terrorist groups is already crumbling.
Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad said that the deaths of Hapilon and Maute, who have taken control and made Marawi City their stronghold since May 23, signifies the victory for peace and order.
Maranao regional lawmaker Zia Alonto Adiong of ARMM’s 24-member Regional Assembly said the bigger challenge now is the rebuilding of Marawi.
The city was devastated by firefights between state forces and combined Abu Sayyaf and Maute gunmen who occupied key areas, dislocating more than 200,000 residents.
Relatives of Hapilon in Basilan told The STAR that his criminal activities have brought them shame.
“Kahit kaming mga walang kinalaman sa mga gawain niya napag-initan ng pulis at militar. Malaking kahihiyan ang kanyang mga pinagagawa (We the innocent relatives are being harassed by the military and police, his activities brought as shame),” said a cousin of Hapilon who works in a government office in Mindanao.
Administration lawmakers commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a job well done for the death of Hapilon and Maute.
“Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s confirmation of the death of Hapilon and Maute validated the gains of the AFP against the Islamic State and the military’s vow to end the crisis soon,” Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said.
“The honest-to-goodness campaign of our soldiers to put an end to terrorism in Marawi finally paid off. We salute our officers and men of the armed forces, especially those directly involved in the killing of Hapilon and Maute,” Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano lll said. – With Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan, Paolo Romero, John Unson