Military won’t abandon fight in Marawi: Ano

October 18, 2017

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they will not abandon the fight until all terrorist members remaining at the battle zone of Marawi have neutralized.

“Actually the operation to hunt down these (remaining) terrorist is a law enforcement matter, but just the same we will not abandon it. We will make sure to get the remaining Maute/ISIS here,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said in a radio interview Wednesday

“I can say that the danger or risk on them (remaining terrorist) has decreased because these stragglers are now on the run for their survival that is why we will not stop until we get these stragglers,” he added.

The military is looking at the mopping up operations against remaining terrorist in Marawi City as a law enforcement matter after Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed early Monday.

Ano said Maute and Hapilon were trying to escape from the main battle area when they were killed by  government forces.

“Yes that is the plan of Hapilon, to get out of the main battle area together with his remaining followers and family members.  In fact he also offered to give millions to give them boats and to guide them going out of the main battle area,” he said.

Ano also mentioned that the military is also making an appeal to the remaining terrorist to just surrender as it is their only way to get out of the battle area alive.

Ano called on the the remaining terrorists to surrender. “The only way to get out alive is to surrender,” he said.

Ano said areas that need to be cleared by government forces has decreased to around one hectare but the terrorists in the battle zone are still holding 18 to 20 hostages.

“They are near the Marawi Lake or Lanao Lake and it is only around one hectare. It still has buildings and structures that is why we still need to be careful, but the area is already small,” he said.

Based on the latest update by the military, the number of fatalities on government forces remains at  163 and while there are 847 terrorists killed. Robina Asido/DMS