Philippine IS leader’s death confirmed by DNA tests
- Abu Dar, real name Benito Marohombsar, was killed in March after clashes with government forces near the southern city of Marawi
- He had helped plan a bloody siege of the city in 2017 along with the slain IS emir Isnilon Hapilon and Maute Group leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute
The country’s defence secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, said it means “the self-proclaimed Isis leader is dead”, using another abbreviation for the militant group.
“His group is leaderless in the meantime and also they are scattered after that successful operation by the army,” he said.
The military announced the death of Abu Dar, whose real name is Benito Marohombsar, in March after clashes in the town of Tuburan near Marawi, but doubts prompted DNA tests. “Our US counterparts confirmed his death,” said Marawi commander Colonel Romeo Brawner.
Abu Dar helped plan the bloody siege of Marawi in 2017 along with the slain IS emir Isnilon Hapilon and Maute Group leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute, according to a propaganda video shot before the siege. The battle to control the city led to five months of clashes that flattened Marawi’s city centre, which to this day remains practically untouched amid delays to rehabilitation efforts.
Abu Dar had fled to the mountains after the siege but continued to recruit and train fighters. The military launched a huge operation to hunt him down that displaced thousands of residents, sparking humanitarian concerns.