MANILA, Philippines — Police and military personnel killed three gunmen, described as “remnants” of the Maute-ISIS group involved in last year’s battle for Marawi City, in a gun battle in Lanao del Norte province Saturday morning, February 10.
The troops of of Joint Task Group Lanao del Norte and “ZamPeLan,” with police from Pantar town, killed Omar Daiser, described by Brigadier General William Alunday, JTG LDN chief, as “a fugitive who escaped from Marawi City Jail, joined the Maute-ISIS group and was utilized as ISIS contact person in Pantar during the Marawi rebellion,” and two unidentified companions when they resisted arrest in Barangay Lumba Punud.
Daiser, added Alunday, “has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of robbery with homicide issued by the Marawi City Regional Trial Court. He is known to be an illegal drug user and pusher and a follower of Solitario Ali, former Mayor of Marawi City who is involved in illegal drug trade.”
The security forces seized four M16 rifles, one M203 GL, an FAL rifle and a Pietro Beretta 9mm pistol apparently seized from police.