Gov’t troops retake “critical” Banggolo bridge in Marawi; Military official says war “to take only a few weeks”

(Eagle News) — Government forces retook on Thursday a strategic bridge in Marawi, prompting them to announce that the war in the city was expected to draw to a close in a few weeks.

But Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said that the recovery of Banggolo Bridge — two of three “critical bridges” in the city—did not come without a price, as three soldiers were killed and 52 others were wounded in the military offensive.

With the recent fatalities, the death toll from the government side is now pegged at 136.

According to Galvez, only 45 Maute members were holed up in the bridge.

“(The fighting in Marawi) will not anymore take months. It will take only a few weeks… Nakita natin yung ating 500 X 509 square meters (na kailangang i-clear), it might be reduced into a few hundred meters after the retaking of Banggolo Bridge,” Galvez said.

Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, said on Friday that the military was “working to clear the remaining areas where the enemy is holding out.”

“Following a short pause early today to give due respect to the solemnity and significance of this day (to Muslims), the operations will continue without letup,” he said.