Romeo Ranoco
A Malaysian militant who Philippine authorities say helped finance and mastermind the siege of the southern city of Marawi has reportedly been killed. Gen. Eduardo Ano, the Philippine military chief, told the Associated Press on Friday that the militant, Mahmud bin Ahmad, was wounded during fighting in Marawi this month and died of his injuries. Government troops are reportedly searching for his body. Bin Ahmad is thought to have provided about $600,000 from ISIS to buy weapons, food, and other supplies for the siege, which has sent residents fleeing as government troops battle to retake the town. Fighting erupted in Marawi on May 23, when ISIS-linked militants seized buildings and took hostages, prompting concerns the terrorist group was seeking a foothold in the Southeast Asian country.