05 September 2017

News Story: Philippine general claims leader of Marawi siege dead

MANILA. Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Philippine military general said on Monday that one of the leaders of the Islamist extremist Maute group that attacked the southern Philippine city of Marawi has been killed in the fire fighting to retake the city.

Citing information culled from social media. Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the commanding general of the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the military believes that Abdullah Maute is already killed.

"Abdullah Maute is already killed. Chatter over Telegram indicates he is killed," Galvez told a news conference in Marawi City. He said the information is based on entries in the Arabic language on Telegram.

Galvez also said that Maute's brother, Omarkhayam, is still alive.

Read the full story at Xinhua