The top leaders behind the months-long war in Marawi Isnilon Hapilon (left) and Omar Maute. AP, INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
The Catholic Bishops鈥� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) denied聽on Tuesday聽the widely-circulated report on social media that it regretted the killing of extremist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, calling it 鈥渇ake news.鈥�
CBCP President Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that the organization never made such statement and instead lauded the bravery and heroic efforts of the soldiers.
鈥淥nce more, CBCP is the hapless victim of fake news. Going viral on social media is a 鈥渞eport鈥� that the CBCP regrets the killing of misters Hapilon and Maute. The CBCP never made such a statement,鈥� Villegas said in a statement.
鈥淥n the contrary we laud the gallantry of our soldiers and their heroic efforts to free Marawi. We will gladly join government in rebuilding the city in the measure we are able. We pray for all the dead, and for lasting peace in Mindanao,鈥� he added.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed聽on Monday聽the death of Hapilon and Maute, known to be the brains of the Marawi City siege, as troops launched an assault in the city鈥檚 main battle zone, leading to the rescue of 17 hostages.
Their death ended the nearly five-month long battle in Marawi City.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city鈥檚 liberation聽on Tuesday.