CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Following the death of two terrorist leaders in Marawi City, a military official said government forces have remained on guard against armed extremists who continue to wage war against the government.
“We cannot let our guard down” despite the death of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute leader Omarkhayam Maute, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson for the Phil. Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID).
Noting that two of Northern Mindanao's major cities—Cagayan de Oro and Iligan—are geographically close to Marawi, Martinez said they are monitoring "suspicious personalities” who are still in the Lanao del Sur area.
In Iligan City, police said they will continue to strengthen security measures even after Hapilon and Omar Maute's death.
Police Director Leony Roy Ga described the threat on Iligan City as "still present and high."
“Since the start of the attack, we have already heightened the security all over Iligan City because almost all the displaced families who fled their homes in Marawi City are seeking refuge in Iligan City. There are reports that some sympathizers of the Maute are inside Iligan,” Ga said.
Meanwhile, Martinez said the remaining members of the extremist groups who are on the government watch list have been considered at-large "unless proof of their death has been established."
“We need to verify if those on the watch list were killed, otherwise we have to assume that they are alive,” he said, adding that many of those on the rouge’s gallery were already killed since the fighting in Marawi started on May 23. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem with reports from Divina Suson)
