Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute still in Marawi — military

The military believes that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the leaders of the ISIS-inspired Maute group, are still in the main battle area in Marawi City.

"We still believe that both Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute are inside," said Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the Joint Task Group Ranao, in a press briefing.

Hapilon is said to be the emir of international terror group ISIS in Southeast Asia. The ongoing clashes in Marawi started May 23 when government forces tried to serve an arrest warrant on Hapilon.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier mentioned that other Maute brothers—Abdullah, Madi, Otto—have already been killed in the clashes, according to sources.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao after the local terrorists attacked Marawi City on May 23.

Based on latest military records, a total of 162 have been killed on the government side while more than 1,700 troops have been wounded.

Around 40 members of Maute group are still in the war-torn city, occupying two hectares of the main battle area. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News