PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte confirmed Thursday night that Malaysian terrorist Mahmud Ahmad, an alleged terrorist financier, was killed by government security forces in Marawi City.
Duterte made the announcement at the 43rd business conference and expo concluding rites at Manila Hotel.
In his speech, Duterte revealed that the a certain "doc," apparently referring to Mahmud, was already "taken" Thursday, October 19.
"Now, the other whom they called doc -- it's three, Hapilon, Omar and doc, he is an Arab (Malaysian). He was taken this afternoon. And that completes the story," the President said.
On Tuesday, military spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla Jr. said there were around 20 to 30 Islamist fighters, including Malaysian militant Mahmud Ahmad, still holed up in Marawi.
Mahmud, a Malaysian doctor who allegedly helped finance the rebellion in the south, was reportedly killed during the operation conducted on Wednesday night.
In a text message, Padilla confirmed Duterte's statement about Mahmud's death.
Padilla said the rescued hostages, who recognized the Malaysian national, told the military that Mahmud was among the terrorists killed in the operation Wednesday night.
"Yes, [Mahmud is dead]," he said. "Hostages rescued know who he is and reported he was killed last night."
'Martial law'
Following the latest development, the President said the martial law in Mindanao will only be lifted, if the "last terrorist is taken out."
"I declared martial law and so everybody was asking, "When will it stop?' It will not stop until the last terrorist is taken out. They are still at it," said Duterte.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law following the siege of Maute terror group who attempted to establish caliphate for Ismalic State's Southeast Asia group.
On October 17, the Chief Executive declared the liberation of strife-torn Marawi City after the government troops killed remaining terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute during the October 16 dawn operations.
Duterte's martial rule is effective until end of December this year. (VoxPop Philippines)
