ISNILON Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf leader reportedly designated the “emir” of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia, must die, Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año said Monday.
“We don’t want Isnilon to leave Marawi alive,” Año said at a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Año said Hapilon was still alive in Marawi but separated from the remaining Maute group terrorists, contradicting claims that the Abu Sayyaf leader had fled the battle zone through an underground tunnel, and that he had escaped to Basilan.
The Armed Forces chief said three terrorists who surrendered said that of the Maute brothers, only Omar was still alive.
“There are two main groups. One is led by Hapilon, who came from Basilan, and there’s the group led by Omar,” Año said.
The Catholic priest, Chito Suganod, told the military that he and dozens of hostages were captives of the Maute group, who were deployed in the Bato Mosque before a military assault on Saturday.
Suganod said up to 50 hostages were still in the hands of the Mautes.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ruled out the possibility of negotiating with the remaining terrorists in Marawi, who were considering releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for their safe passage out of the city.
“Impossible. I will not even agree to look at them,” the President said in a chance interivew during the wake of a policeman slain in Caloocan City.
“This will not end until the last terrorist is taken out—that is my order to the Armed Forces and even the police,” he added.
The President said he was particularly worried about the fate of the female hostages.
“There are reports that they were being repeatedly raped every night. That’s a gross violation of the rights of a human being and an affront on the dignity of Filipina women,” he said.
A military spokesman on Monday urged hostages in Marawin to just wave a white flag if they are being forced to fight on the side of the terrorists.
“Should they wave a white flag, the shooting will stop to give way for the verification of those who’ve waived their flags,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said in a Palace news briefing.
“However, if they show signs of hostility, our soldiers have the right to defend themselves or neutralize the targets,” he added.
Padilla said the military would take care of hostages that try to escape.
“We know the rules of engagement. We know the rules of war. And if there’s a white flag flying out there for an individual, we will respect his right and he will be treated well,” he added.
Padilla said there were still about 40 to 60 hostages.
Government troops have already captured the command center of Maute group, the Islamic State supporters who have besieged Marawi City for nearly four months.
