FOUR members of the Jemaah Islamiya terrorist group”•three Indonesians and a Malaysian”•were among the 36 bandits killed in four days of fighting between government troops and the Maute Group in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año said the slain terrorists were in the company of the Maute bandits when government troops blasted and overran their fortified lairs on the edges of Piagapo town on April 21.
Año said the identities of the four slain jihadists remained unknown as they had changed their names.
“The Indonesians and Malaysian were part of the JI before, but when their existence diminished, they made other affiliations, particularly with the Maute Group, which took over the remnants of the JI and aligned with the Abu Sayyaf Group under Isnilon Hapilon hoping they will be recognized by ISIS,” Año said.
Attack helicopters backed by an Army artillery contingent blasted Maute’s main camp consisting of hundreds of bunkers and trenches in the forested ridges of Piagapo, forcing bandits to flee. Pursuing Army Scout Rangers engaged the bandits in a running gunbattle.
Of the 36 killed bandits, 14 have already been identified, including a certain Bantayao or Bayabao, a former leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front under Abdullah Goldiano Makapaar alias Commander Bravo.
The latest military strike at the Maute Group was intended to cripple its capability to sow violence and terrorism in Lanao province and adjacent municipalities and prevent them from spreading their attacks to civilians who do not support them.
Ground forces have been conducting clearing operations, locating the remnants of Maute bandits, and trying to determine the whereabouts of Hapilon who was critically wounded in a previous encounter with troops somewhere in Lanao del Sur.
“So far, we are conducting mopping up operations and we are trying to locate Hapilon because right now we have no proof of life,” Año said, noting that there was talk that the Abu Sayyaf leader was ready to surrender because of his ill health.
Año said the military had also spotted “Arab-looking nationals” in Lanao del Sur, but could not confirm if they were affiliated with the Islamic State.
Año said they estimated the number of Maute members at 120 to 130 fighters, but added that this number had been dramatically reduced.
“With the developments unfolding, they [Maute] would eventually realize that what they have been fighting for is useless,” Año said.
Año also said the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf would not stop until they have been eradicated.
Armed Forces spokesperson Restituto Padilla said overrun Maute base was a training camp.
“Well, it’s definitely a training facility and whatever they are doing, what kind of training they are undertaking is still a matter of investigation,” he said.
He said this could include the teaching of bomb making skills. With John Paolo Bencito
