(UPDATED) At least 27 terrorists have been killed thus far in heavy fighting. Colonel Brawner says that because they 'don't have all the cadavers yet', they could not confirm if Malaysian militant Dr Mahmud is among them.
ASSAULT. The military stages another assault in Marawi. Rappler photo
(UPDATED) – More than a dozen more terrorists were killed in Marawi City in latest military operations as troops continued their assault to flush out what they call "stragglers" inside the battle area.
Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Task Group Ranao, said Thursday, October 19, 13 terrorists were killed in Wednesday night's operations.
A Rappler source on the ground said up to 27 fighters have been killed in heavy fighting that started Wednesday, October 18. 14 more bodies were reported retrieved Thursday, October 19.
The military is checking if Malaysia's top militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad was among the fighters troops killed.
Brawner said they could not yet confirm the death of Mahmud as the information came from two hostages rescued Wednesday night. They said Mahmud "could have been killed," according to Brawner. "But in the absence of bodies and SOCO [Scene of the Crime Operatives] report, the military could not say if Mahmud is really killed."
He added that some of the terrorists killed were hit by sniper fires but their bodies have not yet been retrieved. "We don't have all the cadavers yet, so no confirmation on Dr Mahmud," Brawner said.
Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año, however said, the AFP is "increasingly becoming confident that he was among those who have been killed during yesterday's (Wednesday's) operations."
Entrenched resistance
"Enemy resistance is still organized and well entrenched," Brawner also said. Improvised explosive devices or IEDs and unexploded ordnance in the military battle area still number in the thousands, Brawner said, and the military does not have a timeframe for clearing all of them.
Terrorists, who are willing to die, have been "using hostages as human shields." The military is unsure who their leader is.
Año said that early Thursday they were able to rescue a mother and her teenaged daughter. Both are safe and out of danger, even as about 20 more hostages remain in the area.
About 6 soldiers were wounded in the operation but they are safe too, suffering only superficial wounds.
Malacañang, for its part, said it is still "verifying reports" of Mahmud's death and can give "no official confirmation" until the military identifies the terrorist leader's body.
TOP MALAYSIAN TERRORIST. Mahmud Ahmad reportedly channeled at least P30 million ($600,000) to finance the attack in Marawi City, Philippines.
Mahmud is reportedly among the top financiers of the attack. He supposedly channeled at least P30 million ($600,000) to finance the attack in Marawi City, the military said.
Mahmud survived the assault on Monday, October 16, that killed the top leaders behind the siege. Abu Sayyaf subleader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute of the family-led Maute Group were shot by government snipers as troops assaulted enemy position to rescue remaining hostages. (READ: The life of a Maute hostage in Marawi)
These terrorist leaders pledged allegiance to international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS).
President Rodrigo declared the "liberation" of Marawi from "terrorist influence" on Tuesday. Año said, "Troop morale remains very high and motivation to finish the fight is at its highest."
https://www.rappler.com/nation/185758-marawi-terrorists-killed
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