The Armed Forces of the Philippines have killed 13 Maute fighters in an overnight battle in Marawi City, on-ground military troops said in a press briefing today, Oct. 19.
This leaves the number of Maute fighters down to around seven to 17.
Malaysian professor Dr. Mahmud Ahmad may have also been killed in the clash, Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Ranao, said.
Brawner, however, said confirmation is still needed.
“For Dr. Mahmud, he will undergo DNA examination to confirm it was really him,” SunStar quoted Brawner as saying.
According to a July 2017 report of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, Ahmad allegedly financed the Marawi war and recruited foreign fighters to the cause.
The two Marawi war leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute have been killed on Monday, Oct. 16, leading President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the liberation of Marawi.
Sources: GMA News, CNN Philippines, SunStar, Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict
