Military verifying if new ISIS emir Amin Baco was killed in Marawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Western Mindanao Command is verifying reports that Malaysian Amin Baco, who took over as the ISIS emir in Southeast Asia, was killed in the final stage of operations against militants who besieged Marawi City.

 

Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Baco, who has been hiding for a long time with the Abu Sayyaf, replaced Isnilon Hapilon. He said the information was revealed by Indonesian terrorist Muhammad Ilham Syahputra, who was captured inside Marawi last week.

 

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., whose units killed Hapilon and the seven Maute brothers in the southern city of Marawi, said Baco was believed to be among the foreign militants who died in the main battle area.

 

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

 

Baco was believed to be killed along with Malaysian university lecturer and ISIS recruiter Dr. Mahmud Ahmad during the culminating stage of offensive operations.

 

“We are still validating the report on Amin Baco since we have reports that he might be included in the recently killed stragglers,” Galvez said referring to the remnants of the militants who were hiding to escape the government troops’ clearing operation.

 

READ: Malaysian designated ISIS Southeast Asia head — PNP

 

Galvez said remnants of the ISIS-inspired group were disorganized and could not regroup to select a leader.

 

Baco, based on intelligence reports, has been in hiding in Mindanao and previously worked with another Malaysian jihadist Zulkipli bin Hir alias Marwan. Marwan was killed in the 2015 Mamasapano operations which left 44 Special Action Force commandos dead.

 

Baco managed to escape and later joined the Maute Group.