MANILA, Philippines — Abdullah Romato Maute, known in the ISIS network as Sheik Al Miyahad Abu Al Hassan is already dead based on “four separate reports,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
“Talagang patay na po si Abdullah Maute,’yong pinaka panganay” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the commanding general of the military Westmincom, said during an interview with dzMM radio, citing the AFP’s receipt of the reports confirming the death of the eldest of the Maute brothers, who led the attack on Marawi City last May, which prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law in Mindanao.
The AFP’s report on Abdullah’s death came after the August 27 demise of Cayamora Maute, the father of the ISIS-linked terrorists leaders, while he was under government custody. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said Cayamora, who was arrested in Davao last June 6, died at the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital after his blood pressure shot up.
on Monday, Galvez said the AFP had also received an intelligence report that Omarkhayam Romato Maute is the only one remaining alive among the Maute brothers fighting government forces in the Lanao del Sur capital.
“Ang nasa intelligence report halos naubos na po ang Maute brothers at si Omarkhayam na lang po ang nabubuhay,” said Galvez.
But he said the information still needs to be confirmed and the remains should be recovered for DNA testing to validate the report.
“Hindi po 100 percent kasi walang bangkay,” said Galvez.