SECURITY officials are still verifying the reports that Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf leader allegedly pledging allegiance to Islamic State (IS) extremists, may have run away from the ongoing battle in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Malacañang said Tuesday.
"There has been information saying that Isnilon Hapilon has left Marawi and abandoned his group. For now, all of these remain raw information, requiring validation by the AFP and various security agencies by government," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters.
"Hence, we cannot issue any categorical statement on the matter until we get proof," he added.
Abella issued the statement following reports that Hapilon may have escaped from conflict-torn Marawi City, which was still occupied by local and foreign terrorists in an attempt to establish caliphate for IS fighters.
Hapilon was indicted in the United States (US) for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of three American nationals in the Philippines in 2001. The US government also offered a $5-million bounty for his arrest.
Hapilon, an infamous Filipino militant believed to be the emir of IS group in the Southeast Asia, was the target of the security forces in a military entrapment launched on May 23 but the attempt to arrest him was foiled as they engaged in a firefight with Islamist armed men.
The fighting among government troops and extremists in the southern Philippines triggered President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial rule in Mindanao in a bid to quell insurgency in the besieged region.
Abella said that if Hapilon is proven to be outside of Marawi City, it indicates that the latter is "coward."
He added that it might be an indication that "infighting" within the group is evident.
"Granting that this (Hapilon's escape) is true, it would be a clear sign of his cowardice because he abandoned his companions and has ran away from the battle," the presidential spokesperson said.
"It may also be indicative of the infighting that may now be going within the group. It may be a matter of time before they disintegrate or self-destruct," he added. (VoxPop Philippines)
