(Eagle News)– Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año has ordered the creation of a Board of Inquiry (BOI) that will probe the failed airstrike incident which killed 11 government troops and injured seven others.
“It was very unfortunate and no one wanted it to happen. I am deeply saddened and the whole AFP commiserate with the bereaved families with deep regret,” Año said.
“I ensure that all measures and actions are being implemented in order to resolve the Marawi crisis at the soonest possible time without jeopardizing the lives of innocent civilians,” Año added.
The pilots involved in the incident have been barred from flying any aircraft.
“Sa ganitong pagkakataon po, immediately hindi na po sila lilipad muna. Nasa administrative control po sila ng kanilang mga units at ang isasagawang imbestigasyon magiging available sila dito para sagutin kung ano mang dapat na sagutin galing po sa ating Board of Inquiry,” AFP spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said.
“Pending the result of the investigation we may defer the use of SF260 for the meantime but we will continue using all other available ground air and naval assets in order to resolve this crisis quickly,” Año said.
Padilla added it was the ground commander who would decide if they would still use the SF260.
“Ang ground commander sa lugar na iyan ang magdedecide kung kinakailangan niyang suspendihin ang paggamit nito o hindi kasi may hinaharap patayong mga kalaban na kailangang sugpuin at kung kina-kailangan pang gamitin ito,” Padilla said.
Padilla said the military would come up with additional measures to prevent a similar incident from happening.
