Hapilon’s alleged aide, Maute fighter killed in Marawi City

Deputy Commander Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. said they have identified one of the Maute members as Abu Talja, the alleged aide of the designated ISIS emir in the country. (PTV photo)

Two IS-inspired Maute fighters, including the alleged right-hand man of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, were killed as soldiers continue to pursue the remaining members of the group in Marawi City, the military said on Thursday.

Deputy Commander Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. said they have identified one of the Maute members as Abu Talja, the alleged aide of the designated ISIS emir in the country.

Brawner added that the bodies of the two terrorists were brought to the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives, and that the bodies are now being processed.

“This may be attributed to the close coordination of the civil authorities and the military and police forces on the ground,” Brawner uttered.

“The deaths of these two significantly reduced the ability of the remaining members of the Maute-ISIS to cause further harm and derail the ongoing return of the IDPs to the controlled barangays in the city,” he added.

Two soldiers were also wounded in the conflict that took place inside the main battle area in Marawi City on Wednesday night, according to the deputy commander.

Also on Wednesday morning, an Indonesian national believed to have connection with Maute group, was arrested by the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in Barangay Loksadatu in Marawi City.

The Indonesian national, who was identified as Muhammad Ilham Syahputra, is now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Brawner futher explained that despite the ongoing clearing operations in the war-torn city, rehabilitation efforts and normalization continue.