IS-linked militants in Philippines down to 40

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The number of Islamic State (IS)-linked militants in the Philippines has decreased to about 40, the country’s military said on Monday.

Philippines army spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla warned the IS-motivated Maute militant group was still a threat in the country.

The group and its fighters still hold hostages in two districts in the southern Philippines city of Marawi, according to Padilla.

“Based on the ground commander’s estimate, their number has decreased to less than 40,” he told reporters at the presidential palace in Manila.

“Maybe their forces have been reduced to between 20 and 40,” Padilla added. “The force is getting smaller.”

The Brigadier General underlined the group’s “capacity to inflict harm” because “they still have arms [and] adequate ammunition.”

Marawi, which has a predominantly Muslim population, was overrun by the Maute militants in May.

The occupation led to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte imposing martial law on the entire island of Mindanao, which Padillo said would not be lifted even after the group was defeated.

“Don’t look at Marawi per se as the reason for keeping martial law,” he noted. “You know, this rebel group has a structure that is beyond Marawi.”

According to the Brigadier General, the Maute militants have groups in other parts of the country such as Lanao, Maguindanao, and Sulu archipelago.

The Philippines government is currently investigating reports of the IS-inspired militants using hostages as suicide bombers.

Since May, 562 militants, 128 government troops, and 45 civilians have been killed while over 467,000 people have been displaced.

Editing by Ava Homa