(Eagle News) –Eleven soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in a government airstrike in Marawi, prompting authorities to decide to limit the use of airstrikes to avoid government casualties.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said authorities were investigating the “accident” that took place on Wednesday, as government troops fought to claim the Maute group’s remaining stronghold.
Lorenzana, who earlier said 10 soldiers had been killed, said there were “50 to 100” terrorists “holed up in reinforced buildings” in that area.
“Nagkakasagupaan sa mga panahon na yun. May kalaban na kailangang sugpuin,” Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
According to Lorenzana, one plane flying over the city missed its target and dropped a “conventional bomb” 100 meters away instead, where government forces were positioned.
Padilla said the SF260 warrior made by Italian company Marchetta had hit its targets three times before the “accident.”
“So di natin sinasabi na may pagkakamali ang piloto sa stage na ito,” Padilla said.
The plane’s partner-aircraft, Lorenzana said, also hit its target.
He said the bodies of the fatalities and the wounded have been “evacuated” to Cagayan de Oro.
“We are doing our best to reach every member of the family of these fallen warriors. I am not aware if all of them have been informed. That’s why we are careful not to reveal all their names,” Padilla said.
Board of Inquiry
Padilla said a Board of Inquiry has been constituted to look into the incident.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año has asked the Inspector General to lead the Board, who in turn will designate its other members, Padilla said.
“May nasira ba sa kagamitan? Nabali ba ang isang pakpak ng bomba at iba pa? Iyan ang isa sa mga bagay (na titignan ng Board of Inquiry),” the AFP spokesperson said.
Lorenzana added the Board would also look into whether there was miscommunication between those on the plane and the ground commanders.
He said the results of the investigation–which Padilla said will also determine whether proper procedures were followed—would come out “as soon as possible.”
“Siguro, three days to five days,” Lorenzana said.
Limited use of airstrikes
Although Padilla said ground commanders will “be prevented” from using whatever means they deem acceptable to “deliver power” in the battlefield, Lorenzana said the aristrikes will be done only by planes “that can deliver accurately.”
Padilla added “appropriate measures to ensure that such an incident will be avoided” will also be implemented.
He said apart from the constitution of a Board of Inquiry, these include an “inspection of all armaments available for use.”
“(We will see) whether their operational constitution is still within the range that is acceptable,” he said.
