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Maute group forewarned of airstrikes, local leader says


A local leader revealed on Saturday that sympathizers were giving the ISIS-inspired Maute group warnings on when airstrikes would be launched against them.

Marawi City leader Agakhan Sharief told GMA 7 news program "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday that he saw such a tip-off when he spoke with the Maute brothers on June 20.

"May naka-text sa kanila, darating 'yung eroplano, tago sila sa mga imburnal or naghiwa-hiwalay sila," Sharief said.

"Sabi ni Abdullah... kung gusto ng presidente patayin kami, ubusin na niya 'yung pwersa niya. Pero kung gusto niyo umalis kami diyan, sabi ni Abdullah, ipamagitan niyo ang MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), aalis kami," he added.

Sharief also believed that the Maute gunmen were well supplied with food.

"Noong Eid'l Fitr, mga isang buwan na 'yun, 33 days na, 'yung mga grocery di pa nila nagalaw. Ibig sabihin di nila maubos. Hindi lang... mga siguro mga pito pharmacy 'yung kontrol nila," Sharief speculated.

The military estimated that there were approximately 80 Maute gunemn still entrenched in Marawi City. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News

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