[Reuters] Despite heavy air and artillery assaults on identified terrorist positions, it is likely that leaders of the ISIS-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups are still alive, said Philippine military officials. General Restituto Padilla said, "We have received reports that terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon, Abdullah Maute and Omar Maute are still alive and they are still in Marawi City."The Philippine government offered a $200,000 reward to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of Hapilon. Moreover, a reward of $100,000 is offered to anyone who can provide information about the current location of either Abdullah and Omar Maute.
Thousands of Philippine soldiers were deployed in Marawi City to battle heavily armed 700 Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants on May 23 and the battle has been going on since then. The military said that after fierce fighting for over three months only a hundred of them, occupying two villages, remain.
Meanwhile, last Sunday, six bombs exploded in Marantao, a municipality adjacent to Marawi City following which a investigation was ordered. The blast came as a shock because it happened outside of the battle zone.
One army unit claimed that the bombs were either planted or were fired from the terrorist camp. However, according to General Padilla, the incident is still being investigated.
With the Marawi battle entering its 78th day, it is reported that 690 terrorists and 122 security personnel have been killed.