The Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched “precise” air strikes in three barangays (villages) in Marawi City as fighting with the remaining members of the IS-linked Maute Group went on the third day.
AFP’s Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera reported the attacks as “very deliberate, very precise” bombs were fired in the Barangays of Gadongan, Basak Malutlut, and Bangol to get rid of the remaining members of the terrorist group.
“Yung ginagawa natin, napaka-precise. Gumagamit tayo ng surgical air strikes” Lt. Col Herrera said.
“We are conducting clearing operations in three barangays we have sightings of the remnants of the local terrorist group. They are still here but we are flushing them out. We are flushing them out,” Lt. Col. Herrera told the reporters.
According to Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, it is confirmed that the leader of the Abu Sayyaf terror group and also known as the head of Islamic State in the country stayed in Marawi City. The information was based on residents of the communities who reported sighting the terrorist which is why his group still remains in the city.
The fighting started on Tuesday afternoon after the government forces conducted a raid on the safehouse of Isnilon Hapilon, a top leader of the Abu Sayyaf based in Basilan and also believed to be a leader of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia. The terrorists torched facilities, took over parts of the city, and took hostages as the gunbattle erupted.
However, 31 from the government are wounded for the past two days of operation while five soldier and two police officers are
confirmed killed during operations while 13 from the terrorist group were killed.
confirmed killed during operations while 13 from the terrorist group were killed.
Thankfully, there has been no collateral damage during government operations but Lt. Col. Herrera didn’t disclose any information if there are any other civilian casualties for it still needs to be verified.
“Nag-iingat po tayo. Ang mga sundalo, ingat din na ‘wag magkaron ng collateral damage. We’re very thankful na sa record namin, wala pang collateral damage,’” he confirmed.
He also confirmed that the terrorist group does not have any controlled area, however, their moves are desperate, very fluid and dynamic and that they are also doing the same. They reposition and move continuously to totally out maneuver the Maute.
“Mahilig po silang mag-move, so ‘yun po ang tinututukan natin ngayon…. Gumagamit po tayo ng combined arms ano; this means combination ng armor assets natin, ng infantry and special operations units, and other units para ma-neutralize,” he said.
(They like moving, so that’s what we focused on…. We used combined arms; this means combination of our armor assets, of the infantry and special operations units, and other units to neutralize them” Lt. Col. Herrera said.
He also said they believed that Hapilon was still in Marawi City, based on the reports they are receiving from the community.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao for 60 days because of the fighting.
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