“Abu Dar,” from Pagawayan town in Lanao del Sur, has served as money courier for the Maute terrorist group that attacked Marawi City last year. Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf leader who became the IS emir, was the subject of a military operation in May last year that led to the five-month siege of Marawi, the country’s Islamic capital. He was killed, along with Maute group leader Omarkhayam Maute, in an operation led by the Army’s Scout Rangers. Abu Dar is said to be less radical than Hapilon, although he allegedly maintains contact with foreign jihadists. Lomondot is said to be among at least 313 “remnants” of the Maute group that escaped Marawi City after the siege.

Source: Manila Times March 06, 2018 16:18 UTC