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| Southeast Asia |
| Malays, Indonesians among Maute fighters in Marawi |
| 2017-05-27 |
| [SunStar] The Philippine military on Friday confirmed the presence of foreign terrorists in Mindanao after six of the 12 verified Maute militants, who were among those killed in clashes in Marawi City were from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Solicitor General Jose Calida said Indonesians and Malaysians are fighting alongside gunmen who attacked the city on Tuesday afternoon. He said, "What is happening in Mindanao is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens. It has transmogrified into an invasion by foreign terrorists who heeded the clarion call of ISIS." Military spokesman Restituto Padilla said the foreign terrorists visited the country a few years back to educate and meet with different jihadi groups in Mindanao. He said the military had previously uncovered evidence of their presence through recovered passports and confirmed reports that came from their respective nations, as well as through intelligence reports. Padilla said that President Duterte has not yet verified if these foreign terrorists are from the Islamic State, but affirmed that these groups are trying to ally with ISIS, eager to comply with the requirements. "These terrorist groups in the country have not been able to comply yet and that is the reason why many of these activities of violence, radicalism, and extremism, have been aimed precisely in Mindanao for that purpose," he said. Padilla also said drug-related activities are the sole means for the Maute Group of generating funds for their attacks. He added that evidence of drug paraphernalia were recovered during their previous operations in the camps of the terrorist group. Troops backed by armored vehicles and rocket-firing helicopters are still fighting to re-take control of Marawi, which has been under siege by gunmen since a raid earlier this week failed to capture one of Asia's most-wanted terrorists. Rebels have taken over the streets of Marawi since Tuesday night, torching buildings, taking a priest and his worshippers hostage and sealing off much of the city. The violence forced thousands to flee the area. At least 44 people have died in the fighting, including 31 rebels and 11 soldiers, officials said Thursday. It is not yet clear whether civilians were among the dead. Military Chief of Staff Eduardo Ano said that Hapilon is still in the besieged city and supporters are trying to find a way to extricate their leader. Much of Marawi was still a no-go zone. Automatic gunfire and explosions could be heard clearly and plumes of black smoke rose from the direction of the city center. Air force helicopters swooped overhead. As authorities tried to gain more control over the city, disturbing details have emerged. The rebels forced their way into the Marawi Cathedral and seized a Catholic priest, ten worshippers and three church workers, according to the city's bishop, Edwin de la Pena. Islamic State flags were planted atop buildings and flown from commandeered vehicles, including a government ambulance and an armored car, said Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., vice governor of Lanao del Sur province, of which Marawi is the capital. More than half of the population of Marawi has cleared out, Adiong said. |
| Posted by:ryuge |