Hapilon offered millions to escape Marawi City —AFP

Terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon offered millions of pesos to anyone who could have helped him flee conflict-stricken Marawi City and escape government troops who wanted him dead or alive, Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año said on Wednesday.

"Nag-offer pa siya na magbibigay ng milyon-milyon kung sino man ang makakapagbigay ng bangka at makakapag-guide sa kanila palabas ng main battle area. But meron pa naman tayong pangako na hindi na natin [palalabasin] talaga si Hapilon d'yan, kukunin natin siya buhay man o patay," Año said in a radio interview.

Troops from the elite Army Scout Ranger Regiment and other special forces killed Hapilon and Omar Maute early Monday morning.

The military said Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf group leader, was shot in the chest while Maute was finished off by a head shot.

President Rodrigo Duterte has since declared Marawi City free from the ISIS-linked terrorists despite the continuation of clearing operations.

Año said the remaining stragglers are only holed up in an area near the Marawi pier, adding that the operation against them could already be considered as a law enforcement operation.

"Halos tabi na ito ng Marawi Lake at, or Lanao Lake, at mga less than mga one hectare na lang ito. Meron lang mga gusali at mga structures pa rin kaya kailangan tayong maging maingat, pero maliit na lang ang lugar na ito at kung tutuisin nga ay law enforcement matter na lang ang paghanap sa mga 'to," Año said.

"Pero just the same we will not abandon it, we will make sure na talagang makuha natin yung remaining na Maute-ISIS dito at kami rin nananawagan na dapat mag-surrender na sila, the only way to get out alive is to surrender," he added.

Año earlier said that the remaining Maute fighters in war-torn Marawi City no longer constitute a serious threat.

The AFP said the military still prioritizes the rescue of the 18 to 20 hostages of the Maute group, which he said are being used as human shields to facilitate the escape of the terrorists.

"Ginagamit nilang shield, pag sinsabing shield hindi naman ibig sabihin all throughout ay ito ay may nakatutok na mga baril sa mga ulo ng mga hostages, ito ay kasa-kasama nila sa loob ng isang building at kumbaga parang nilalagay sila sa iba't ibang lugar kung saan maaring pumasok yung sundalo," Año said.

As of October 17, a total of 847 Maute members, 163 government troops, and 47 civilians have been killed, data from the military showed.

In addition, 1,770 civilians have been rescued while 846 firearms have been recovered.  —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News