Maute group, Isnilon Hapilon seen in photos plotting Marawi attack

Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and alleged members of the Maute group have apparently  gathered earlier to plot its attack in Marawi City, based on photos obtained by GMA News.

In a report on "Saksi" on Tuesday, the source said Hapilon was among the insurgents meeting in a location yet to be identified, along with Maute group leaders Abdullah Romato and Omar Cayam Maute.

The military earlier said that Hapilon had been appointed as an "emir" of ISIS in the Philippines. He is said to be establishing a "wilayat" or a provincial ISIS territory in Lanao del Sur with the Maute group.

He was reportedly holed up in Marawi City, which had prompted the government forces to launch an operation to neutralize him and the Maute group.

This then led to a clash between the government troops and the Maute group in Marawi City killing at least 38 soldiers and 138 members of the extremist group.

The said photos were said to be taken before they have started its attack in Marawi City. The report added that other videos are surfacing from different sources regarding the said meeting.

The military, for its, part has yet to comment on the matter.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Eduardo Año earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte had offered an additional P10 million bounty for the neutralization of Hapilon.

Año said that this amount was on top of the $5 million bounty earlier offered by the United States government on Hapilon's head. — Marlly Rome Bondoc/MDM, GMA News