Maute group took reconnaissance video of Marawi City before attack

Members of the Maute group carefully reconnoitered Marawi City prior to their May 23 attack.

According to a Friday report on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras", the Maute gunmen video recorded key points that could be useful in their assault.

In the video recording, three suspected members of the Maute group can be heard speaking in Tagalog as they planned where they would position their snipers.

"'Yan 'yung Petron sa Sarimanok..." one alleged Maute member said.

"Left side capitol, tingnan mo 'yung building na 'yan, 'yung tower. 'Yan ag pwede diyan ang sniper kasi... 'yung CCTV nila. 'Yan sundalo diyan ang entrance... 'yan." another male voice said.

The military is still investigating to determine the identities of the men in the video.

Recording

The gunmen were also twice able to record near a military camp.

"Ito 'yung brigade. Nakikita pala. Alahu Akbar," one man said.

"Dito sa building na 'to, sniper diyan, kita. Pwede ka tumuntong diyan, kita mo lahat," another one said.

"Ah ang dami-dami na nila ngayon... Sa kanila din 'yan oh?" one man added.

The terrorists were able to familiarize themselves with the city, passing over a bridge, a gasoline station, and other infrastructures.

"Dito sa may mosque oh, pwedeng sniper," one man said.

"Ito tandaan niyo itong bahay na ito. Sa likod may magandang bahay diyan. May armory diyan..." one man added.

Prior to the recovery of this video, photos and videos of alleged Maute group members and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon plotting the attack had circulated.

Moreover, another video, which recorded the local terrorists gathering before the attack, had also been recovered. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News