By Roel Pareño and Michael Punongbayan
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Pro-Islamic State (IS) Maute group leader Abdullah Maute, one of two brothers leading the Marawi City siege, was among those killed in continuous offensives yesterday in the capital of Lanao del Sur, according to reports being verified by the military.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay confirmed ground reports of the neutralization of Maute leaders but could not ascertain yet the identities of the casualties.
“I have yet to receive the reports which state that some leaders of the Maute were among those neutralized terrorist members,” according to Petinglay, the designated spokesperson for joint Task Force Marawi.
The information came after reports circulated that Abdullah Maute was killed.
“The report was different and it’s not (him),” Petinglay said, referring to Abdullah. “What we have on the ground was (a) different leader. ’Di pa masabi kung sino (We still cannot say who).”
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