Well-known terrorist: Amin Baco has had a long experience in fighting a guerilla war.
MANILA: The military strongly believes that Malaysian bomber Amin Baco is among those killed in the heavy fighting during efforts to retake Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group, Philippine News Agency reported.
This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Major Gen Restituto Padilla, contrary to claims made by Philippine National Police director-general Ronald dela Rosa that Baco is now the new Islamic State emir in South-East Asia.
"Contrary to recent pronouncements by some officials that it is now headed by a certain Amin Baco, the AFP strongly believes that the group is now leaderless and without direction.
"Amin Baco is believed to have been among those killed in Marawi recently. Baco's remains is now the subject of an ongoing aggressive search," he added.
Padilla also denied that the remaining Maute Group stragglers will be able to influence the overall security situation of the conflict-hit city.
"The AFP following its successful combat operations in Marawi City is aggressively pursuing its clearing operations.
"Clearing operations are focused on the remaining areas of Marawi believed to hold terrorist stragglers fighting for survival and hiding it out in the hope of escaping the MBA (main battle area)," he added.
Around 923 Maute Group terrorists and their allies were killed in the five-month campaign against the terror group which started last May 23.
Earlier, Dela Rosa claimed that Baco is now the new IS emir in South-East Asia following the death of Hapilon in Marawi City last Oct 16.
He also claimed that around 39 Maute Group stragglers are still hiding in Marawi City. - Bernama
