Maute-ISIS remnants have new leader, remain a threat —AFP

With a new leader and millions of pesos in loot, the over 100 Maute-ISIS bandits who escaped Marawi City following an almost five-month siege remains a threat in the region, a military official said on Monday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras", the military identified the Maute-ISIS leader as Owayda Benito Marohonsar alias Abu Dar.

Abu Dar reportedly fled Marawi when the crisis in the Islamic city was in its earlier stages.

"Marami ang nagkumpirma na si Abu Dar ang naglabas ng pinakamalaking pera na kanilang nakumlimbat nu'ng kasagsagan g giyera rito sa Marawi City," Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Amoma said.

Amoma is the operations officer of Joint Task Force Tabang.

The multi-million-peso loot reportedly came from banks and houses raided by the bandits during the siege.

The bandits are allegedly using the money to offer as much as P70,000 to some parents to allow their children to join the bandit group.

"Patuloy po nating tinutugis ang remnants ng Maute group... Alam po natin at hindi ito kaila na maaaring muli sila ay magsasagawa ng panibagong pag-atake," Amoma said.

Reports reaching the Armed Forces indicate that the Maute-ISIS remnants have been seen near Lake Lanao.

The military continues to monitor their activities to thwart their plans. —NB, GMA News