UPDATE: While there have been no specific reports regarding the status of Mohd Amin Baco Abu Jihad, the Philippine military has declared victory in Marawi.
Coconuts Manila writes that: The remaining terrorists, who were no longer holding any hostages, were cornered into one building yesterday before being killed by the military. At least 42 bodies of suspected terrorists were recovered from the final battle site.
Looks like surrender came too little, too late.
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Well, cry us a river of militant tears — Mohd Amin Baco Abu Jihad, a Malaysian fighter holed up in Marawi City, has “put out feelers” that he’d like to surrender and come home, according to The Star.
Philippine intelligence sources have relayed that Amin Baco is currently acting leader of the IS and Maute group of gunmen who are barricaded in the village mosque of Sabala Manao, Marawi City.
An intelligence source states that: “Amin Baco had contacted the Joint Intel Task Group about their surrender and it is in process.”
However, The Philippines have zero chill right now when it comes to their long-running urban battle, and are continuing preparations for an assault on the militants. Looks like it could be a “thanks, but no thanks” on that surrender, Amin Baco. Best get negotiating – fast.
Philippine Armed Forces have indicated that government troops are also zeroing in on Amin Baco, another Malaysian, and the three sons of dead, former self-declared emir of the IS in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon. The four are seen as high-value targets as they’ve been key strategists in the movement of foreign fighters in the region.
Amin Baco, of Tawau, Sabah, married the daughter of a prominent Abu Sayyaf militant in Jolo island, their stronghold in the southern Philippines.
He has been on Malaysia’s most wanted list since 2006, when he went on the run after 16 of his fellow extremists were jailed under the Internal Security Act. He has been moving between Sabah and Indonesia ever since, colluding with regional militants and smuggling arms between the two.
While two Malaysian militants have been confirmed dead in the battle of Marawi City, three more remain at large.
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