Isnilon Hapilon commanding Maute group in Marawi —report

Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon is still alive and commanding members of terrorist Maute group in Marawi City.

A report by Jun Veneracion in Balitanghali on Saturday said that Hapilon, the subject of a joint law enforcement operation, is in the middle of the ongoing crisis.

The Maute-led group attacked Marawi City as government forces were about to serve a warrant of arrest on Hapilon on May 23.

Hapilon is allegedly working with the Maute group in establishing a "wilayat" or a provincial ISIS territory in Lanao del Sur.

The military also believes that the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have joined members of the Maute group in Marawi City.

The report said the military's air strikes continued on Saturday. It added that two armored personnel carriers of the military had been destroyed by terrorists during the ongoing conflict.

The military said 120 members of the Maute group and 38 from the government's side have been killed in the ongoing conflict. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/ALG, GMA News