Duterte offers P10-M bounty for Isnilon Hapilon – AFP chief

President Rodrigo Duterte has offered an additional P10 million bounty for the neutralization of the alleged “Emir” of ISIS in the Philippines and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Eduardo Año said Monday.

Año said the President also ofiered P5 million each for the two Maute brothers, Abdullah and Omar.

“The President is offering P10 million reward money for the neutralization of Isnilon Hapilon who is believed to be leading the terrorist Maute-ISIS group in attacking Marawi City,” he said in a press statement.

He said the amount will be over and above the $5 million bounty earlier offered by the United States government on Hapilon’s head.

Hapilon, a senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, has an outstanding warrant of arrest for kidnapping with ransom and serious illegal detention. He has a standing P7.4 million bounty from the Philippine government.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomes the pronouncement of President Duterte. We hope that this will bear significant accomplishments leading to the eventual arrest and neutralization of Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute Brothers,” said Año.

AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the offer of the reward reflects the resolve of the administration to get the terrorists dead or alive to finally end the conflict in Marawi City.

“We are positive that through our President’s latest pronouncement, we will see the same support and assistance that our people and the local government have given us in our previous accomplishments in the Bohol incident,” he said.

The firefight in Marawi City is now on its 14th day. — RSJ, GMA News