Philippines: 3 Marawi siege leaders dead, 2 still fighting
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Philippines: 3 Marawi siege leaders dead, 2 still fighting

PUBLISHED : 18 Sep 2017 at 17:35

WRITER: Agencies

Members of the Philippine Marines conduct a clearing operation at the main battle zone to liberate the ruined city of Marawi, southern Philippines, 14 Sept 2017. The armed conflict in Marawi has left at least 843 people dead, of which 653 were rebels and 145 were soldiers, and displaced 600 thousand. On 23 May 2017, local and foreign militants led by the Islamic State (IS) affiliated Maute group took up arms in Marawi, the capital of the Lanao del Sur province. The insurgents took hostages, set fire to various government buildings, and marched through the streets with IS flags. (EPA photo)
Members of the Philippine Marines conduct a clearing operation at the main battle zone to liberate the ruined city of Marawi, southern Philippines, 14 Sept 2017. The armed conflict in Marawi has left at least 843 people dead, of which 653 were rebels and 145 were soldiers, and displaced 600 thousand. On 23 May 2017, local and foreign militants led by the Islamic State (IS) affiliated Maute group took up arms in Marawi, the capital of the Lanao del Sur province. The insurgents took hostages, set fire to various government buildings, and marched through the streets with IS flags. (EPA photo)

MANILA: The Philippine military chief says three leaders of the Islamic State-linked militants who attacked a southern city have been killed in more than three months of fighting but two others, including a top Asian terror suspect, are still alive and leading the fighting.

Military chief Gen Eduardo Ano said in a news conference Monday that about 10 foreign militants, mostly Malaysians and Indonesians, are with a few dozen remaining militants who are making a final stand in a lakeside Marawi community after a series of battle setbacks.

(Video Twitter/@ANCALERTS)

Gen Ano said the military believes Abdullah Maute and two of his brothers who allegedly led the May 23 insurrection have been killed, but a fourth brother, Omarkhayam Maute, and terror suspect Isnilon Hapilon are still leading the battle in the devastated city.

Meanwhile, a Catholic priest kidnapped by Islamic State supporters in Marawi nearly four months ago smiled and declared himself "strong" on Monday after escaping.

In a press conference, Father Teresito Suganob declared: "I am physically strong and handsome. That's it for now."

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he plans to meet him.

(Video Twitter/@cnnphilippines)

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