FBI confirms Hapilon’s death

Abu Sayyaf leader and reporter IS “emir” in Southeast Asia Isnilon Hapilon in the secret strategy meeting with other Islamist militants. The military got hold of the video that proved the Islamist militants had long been planning the Marawi take-over. (from Reuters-provided video)

(Eagle News) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States has confirmed that the DNA sample from a corpse retrieved from Marawi City matched with that of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Saturday that the FBI has submitted its official report on this.

“This process of verification is also being conducted on the cadavers of the other terrorists that have been recovered so far,” he said.

Apart from Hapilon, the military said Omar Maute and Dr. Mahmud Ahmad have been killed in government operations in Marawi.

Hapilon and Maute led the terrorists who overran the city in May in a bid to establish a caliphate for the Islamic State.