(Eagle News) — Government troops are closing in on the “desperate” members of the Maute terrorist group in Marawi, determined to “flush them out” and end the “crisis” there.
In an ambush interview on Thursday, Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said clearing operations were now focused in barangays Gadungan, Basak and Bangan.
He said government troops were facing “remnants” of the local terrorist group, numbering from “30 to 40.”
Isnilon Hapilon, who has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, Herrera said, was still in Marawi.
“Desperate ang moves na kasi na ginagawa na nila ngayon…Tactics nila, palipat lipat sila. They occupy buildings with strategic value para malinlang ang troops…We are flushing them out,” Herrera said.
According to Herrera, there was “no letup” in their “surgical operations.”
He said government troops were “very precise” to ensure that civilians are protected.
He said in the last two days since the fighting in Marawi started, there has been no collateral damage.
Thirty one of the government troops have been wounded in action in the last two days, while 13 enemies have been killed.
“We want to finish the fight, that’s why we are encouraging the people of Marawi, the local government unit, to support us. Tulungan niyo po kami para matapos ang krisis sa Marawi,” he said.
He appealed for the public to go to safe places.
“The local terrorist group is media-savvy. Sana huwag natin suportahan sila. They take pictures, inu-up nila agad lalo na sa social media. Ito ginagawa nila to confuse people. Hindi ibig sabihin na kontrolado nila area. Wala po silang controlled area,” he added.