(UPDATE) Military reports slay of ISIS-East Asia 'spokesperson' in Maguindanao
The alleged spokesperson of the Islamic State-East Asia (ISIS-EA) was killed in a military operation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Monday, June 6.

Abdulfatah Omar Alimuden alias Abu Huzaifah was killed in a special operation jointly conducted by elements of the 601st Infantry Brigade, 40th Infantry Battalion, and its intelligence units in Brgy. Poblacion.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), commended the operating troops for the neutralization of the terror suspect.
"Aside from being the spokesperson of the ISIS-EA, Abu Huzaifah was also in charged of the financial transactions of the Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines to the ISIS Central," Rosario said.
Major Andrew Linao, WestMinCom spokesperson, said the operation had long been prepared by the military. He confirmed that Alimuden was the subject of a surveillance operation "for a long time" already, and the operation was finally carried out after threat groups launched bomb attacks in Mindanao last month.
"With the neutralization, they wouldn't be able to generate additional logistical and financial funds to make improvised explosove device (IED) and other explosives with intent to harm," Linao told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview.
Linao refused to bare details of the operation as he said troops were still in the combat area for a follow up operation as of this writing. The military did not answer queries whether Alimuden was a local or foreigner, how long has he been staying in the Philippines, and if he was planning to launch terror attacks.
The military considers the neutralization of the terror suspect as a blow to the ISIS' operations as Rosario urged his troops to "sustain the momentum" in the fight against terrorism especially in the southern Philippines.
In 2017, the military foiled ISIS' plan to establish a caliphate or base in Southeast Asia when it battled local and foreign terrorists that overtook the Islamic City of Marawi City in Mindanao.
"The success of this operation is crucial to stop the activities of Daulah Islamiyah in our country," Linao said.