US Embassy praises AFP for Hapilon, Maute deaths
Military chief General Eduardo Ano (center) holds an image of Islamic militant leader Isnilon Hapilon, next to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (right) showing an image of Omarkhayam Maute, and Western Mindanao Commanding General Carlito Galvez (left) during a press conference at a military camp in Marawi City. Agence France Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The United States Embassy on Tuesday lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines for successfully neutralizing terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
In a statement, US Embassy press attaché Molly Koscina also expressed how they are proud to support the government forces’ counterterrorism efforts in Mindanao.
"We congratulate our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their reported success in killing two of the leaders behind the months-long clash in Marawi: Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute," Koscina said.
"The US is proud to support the AFP’s counterterrorism efforts in Mindanao through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and other technical assistance," she added.
Hapilon and Maute were killed in a military operation on Monday dawn. Their deaths paved way for the government to declare liberation of Marawi City from terrorists.
President Rodrigo Duterte subsequently announced that the besieged city is now free from terrorists on its 148th day of armed conflict.
READ: Duterte declares Marawi freed from terrorists
Meanwhile, Koscina cited that the alliance between the Philippines and the US is established on a 70-year history as she vowed to continue coordination with the local government.
“We will continue working with our Filipino friends, parnters and allies to eradicate violent extremism and terrorism,” she added.
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