TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of militants supporting the Maute insurgent groups and linked with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) died in Marawi during an operation by the Philippines military. Some of the Militants are from Indonesia.
The Philippine Army spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla Jr said at least 31 militants subscribed to ISIS have been killed; some of them are from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Padilla told reporters that there are foreign elements aiding these terrorists in skills related to terrorism, primarily bomb-making, ABS-CBN News reported on Friday, May 26.
Filipina president Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Marawi and all of Mindanao hours after a fight broke between the Armed Forces and Maute insurgents on Tuesday, May 23.
The Philippine authority continues to fight to free Marawi from the Maute's siege as surviving residents flee for their safety. The ensuing battle between government forces and the ISIS-affiliated Maute groups with the Filipina troops launching strikes from air and land to the predominantly Muslim city.
ABS-CBN NEWS|YON DEMA