FIGHTING intensified Friday as the Army Scout Rangers launched a final assault to seize Abus Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi City.
A report on GMA-7’s News TV Live quoted military officials as saying they wanted Hapilon dead or alive, adding that troops have cornered the terrorists.
A security cordon has been thrown around the remaining terrorist-held area in the city to keep reinforcements from reaching the remaining Islamic State-inspired fighters, and to keep the bandits from escaping through Lake Lanao.
Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of Task Group Ranao, said Maute terrorists were using liquefied petroleum gas tanks and unexploded ordnance to fight off advancing government troops.
Brig. Gen. Cirlito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, meanwhile, said three members of the Abu Sayyaf group surrendered to authorities with their high-powered firearms Friday morning.
They were under Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Asbi Misuari who had earlier surrendered to JTF Sulu.
Sobejana said the three surrendered because of a leadership vacuum as their leader Alhabsy Misaya was killed in a shootout with government troops in Parang, Sulu.
He added that the sustained military campaign against the Maute terrorists had taken its toll on the terrorists.