"Nag-aaway-away na ngayon yung mga leaders nila because of the issue of money, of logistical support [and] yung leadership," Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera stated during the press briefing.
Another information that the military are still verifying is the report that the Maute members are making their hostages glean defective bombs and bullets because they are running out of logistical support.
The military are also verifying the report stating that the terrorists beheaded four of their hostages.
There is also a "strong indication" that one of the Maute brothers, Omar, is already dead.
Two weeks ago, reports were received by the military that Omar Maute is dead, stated by Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi, said in a press conference in Marawi City.
Omar was probably killed during a gunfight in a possible lair of the Maute group within the Islamic city, however, the government have yet to recover the body from the conflict zone.
JTF Marawi: There is a strong indication that Omar Maute has already been killed in a firefight two weeks ago. http://pic.twitter.com/P9ZCb1zo7U— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) June 23, 2017
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said that Omarkhayam Maute was most likely one of those killed in the clashes in Marawi but his brother, Abdullah, is still alive along with the Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon, ISIS leader in Southeast Asia.
"But Omar Maute more or less mukhang patay na talaga itong si Omar Maute. Abdullah is still alive, still there, still inside Marawi,"Año said.
However, he did not state when Omar was killed but did not provide proof.
According to Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) deputy commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, they are still checking if among the 200 corpse recovered from the Maute group.
"Actually, it's intelligence exchange from our troops and the Malaysian. Our troops are recovering many cadavers of Maute terrorists and 'yun nga, we are in the process of verifying 'yung mga personalities, 'yung identities nito," he said.
Gapay stated that they are currently coordinating with the Malaysian counterpart regarding Mahmoud Amad.
Not too long ago, Cayamora Maute, the Maute brother's father and also their mother in a separate arrest.
The Maute family is a part of Muslim Mindanao's elite due to their involvement in construction and property development.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said yesterday while in Davao City, "We don’t go by ratings, but we do say we actually preempted the establishment of a wilayat (Islamic State province) [in Mindanao]."
"So the main goal of preventing is actually, has already been, I believe, hugely successful in the.We have prevented the establishment of this 'wilayat'. And we have now entered into agreements… with the neighboring countries so that this will not recur," he added.
Abella was asked if the President will soon lift Martial Law.
"That will depend on the recommendation of the secretary of National Defense, of the Armed Forces who are the implementors of martial law," he answered.
Source: GMA,ABS-CBN
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