MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has yet to confirm reports claiming that Owayda Benito Marohomsar alias “Huwam” and “Abu Dar” is the new leader of the Maute-ISIS Group.
Despite the lack of information, AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said that this will not lessen their efforts to totally defeat the terror group.
“I cannot confirm that (Marohomsar took over) dahil wala akong information (because I don’t have information) regarding that but whoever is going take over or attempting to take over, we are set to defeat them, we owe our people na hindi na mauulit ang nangyari sa (that what happened before will not happen again in) Marawi City,” he added.
To ensure this, Arevalo said the military needs the full support and cooperation of the citizenry in locating and tracking down these terrorists.
Marohomsar, who was among the few surviving Maute-ISIS Group leaders, reportedly managed to evade the military dragnet in Marawi City which killed most of his companions last year.
Killed in the campaign to liberate Marawi City were Isnilon Hapilon, top leader of the Islamic-inspired extremist group and Omar Maute, one of the co-founders of the Maute-ISIS Group.
Reportedly, Marohomsar took command of the terrorist band and is now engaged in recruiting new members for his decimated band which suffered heavy losses in the five-month battle in Marawi City. (PNA)
