Firearms, unopened money vaults, coins recovered by military in Marawi

September 29, 2017

Government forces recovered firearms, unopened money vaults and coins at the main battle area in Marawi City on Thursday.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander, said there are six sacks of coins (about 1/3 full each) and four automated teller machine (ATM) money vaults recovered by government troops.

Brawner said the coins were being used by the terrorists in making improvised bombs.

“The coins are being used as shrapnel by terrorists in making improvised explosive device,” he said.

Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia, Civil Relations Group (CRG) commander in Zamboanga, said the unopened vaults were turned over to the security manager of the Landbank branch Friday.

“The money vaults were not opened although some were obviously burned but intact,” he said.

Garcia said there were more than 80 firearms recovered by the military on the same day.

“More than 80 firearms were recovered yesterday and more than 60 were burned,” he said.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Chief, said based in latest report the number of recovered  firearms has reached to 789, “82 of which were had on yesterday's operation while 36 buildings were cleared on the same period.”

He also noted that the number of government fatalities is now 153 and terrorists killed have reached  736. Robina Asido/DMS