AFP identifies owner of house where Hapilon, Maute plotted Marawi attack

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Eduardo Año on Thursday said the military has identified the owner of the house where Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute group leaders planned their attack on Marawi City.

Año declined to name the owner, however, saying they are still verifying his identity and those of other Maute group supporters.

"We have already identified the owner of the house but I'd rather not reveal the identity," he said in a television interview.

Año revealed that the owner is among the more than 200 individuals listed in the arrest order issued by martial law administrator and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in connection with the Marawi crisis.

The arrest order also contains the names of politicians. "It's a combination of names of politicians, private citizens, members of the Maute, the leaders... so dalawang list 'yun and we are actually now implementing the serving of this arrest warrant to these people," said Año.

A video obtained by GMA News shows Hapilon plotting the Marawi attack along with Maute group leaders Abdullah Romato and Omar Cayam Maute.

The military earlier said that Hapilon had been appointed as an "emir" of ISIS in the Philippines, and that he is attempting to establish a "wilayat," or ISIS province, in Lanao del Sur with the Maute group.

In a report by GMA News' Cedric Castillo on 24 Oras, 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista said the military is still verifying reports that Hapilon was able to flee Marawi since other reports suggest the Abu Sayyaf leader is still in the city.

"This is still to be validated, but Isnilon Hapilon is allegedly still in the area. The Abdulas, there are reports that they are wounded, we have to see the evidence. If we see visually that Isnilon Hapilon is out or he’s dead, we still have to see the body or the cadaver," Bautista said.

As the conflict enters its 18th day, Western Mindanao Command Maj. General Carlito Galvez Jr. believes the siege is nearing its end.

"We are looking at the possibility that the end will be near. Mayroon lang kami mga three or four na strong points na ipaparalisa, after that dire-diretso na po 'yun," Galvez said.

Lorenzana, for his part, said engineering and construction brigades of the AFP can immediately start rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City as soon as the conflict ends.

"Once this is finished, immediately the engineering construction brigades will come in and rehabilitate the damaged infrastructures, then the houses," Lorenzana said. — BM, GMA News