THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has yet to verify reports that Omar Maute, one of the leaders of the Maute terror group, were killed in a military airstrike in Marawi City.
"'Yung si Omar meron tayong report na namatay sa isang pag-(air) strike natin pero kelangan pa nating ma-validate mabuti," AFP chief Eduardo Año said on Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier offered additional P10 million reward money for the neutralization of Isnilon Hapilon, alleged "top honcho" of the Islamic State in the country, and P5 million each for the Maute brothers Abdullah and Omar.
Duterte declared martial in Mindanao on May 23 following clashes between state forces and the Islamic State-inspired group in Marawi City.
Año said at least 100 members of the Maute group, including Hapilon and the Maute brothers are battling the government forces in Marawi City.
"Based doon sa report ng ground commander ko kaninang umaga, we're talking of about at least 100 Maute remaining dito sa Bangolo area. Ito (Bangolo) 'yung parang commercial district nila na kung saan nandun ‘yung maraming buildings," he said.
"Habang dumadaan yung araw nai-confine natin sila, paliit nang paliit at dumadami ang na-clear na areas, hanggang sa dito na lang sila ngayon sa Bangolo area na kung titingnan natin ay almost about 10 percent of the total area but it has the most number of buildings," Ano added.
Año said that government troops were slowly gaining the enemy positions, but rebel snipers in position remain a challenge to the state forces' efforts to rescue the civilians trapped in the battlefield.
"Ito kasing [snipers] nakakaabala sa pag-abante ng tropa natin, yung mga well-placed snipers nila, na-recover din natin yung mga sniper rifles, in a few days makukuha na natin lahat ito, maki-clear natin yung buong Marawi," Año said.
Año noted that the group has long been prepared for the stand-off in terms of supplies and logistics but said the bandits will soon run out of supplies, including ammunition. (VoxPop Philippines)
