Eight Maute members surrender: military

May 30, 2017

Eight members of Maute-ISIS group in Marawi City surrendered to government authorities last Sunday, a military official said Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon, Philippine Marine Ready Force, Joint Task Force Tiger Commander that covers the military operation in some parts of Marawi City said eight terrorist members surrendered to them “two days ago”. Parcon said based on his estimate less than 50 terrorist group members remain in his area. “Here in the area of Marines, there are sporadic (firefight). They did not commensurate to the combat power of our soldiers. They keep on running. Then we hit them, then they will run again. We hit them hard, but we are very careful,” he said. “They have so-called engagement areas where when you enter there. Then they have enough combat power. They might overpower us, so we are avoiding that kind of situation,” he added. In a text message, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the number of fatalities on the government side reached 20, with 17 soldiers and three policemen killed while a total of 72 were wounded, 69 soldiers and three cops. The number of civilian fatalities remain at 19, with a total of 65 terrorists killed and 55 firearms recovered. Parcon called on other terrorist group members to surrender. “Just like what the president expressed, you know when you realize that you are not capable of fighting anymore. And it’s not worth it on your side. It’s either you gonna die or you surrender for the sake of peace,” he said. Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command, said last Monday a total of 163 civilians were rescued in two barangays in Marawi City. She said at 10:20 am last Monday, a heavy armed engagement ensued as troops tried to get into the Lanao Del Sur Electric Company (LASURECO) Inc. in Brgy Gadungan, Marawi City. “According to a text message coming from one of the trapped civilians, they were in one of the buildings of LASURECO and were held hostage by about 30 terrorists for two days,” she said. “When the fighting subsided, 22 civilians were rescued and escorted by troops to safety. In another area of Brgy. Gadungan, soldiers were able to rescue 20 more civilians hiding in one of the buildings,” she added. Petinglay said in the afternoon troops engaged in another firefight with some terrorists at Brgy Marinaut, Marawi City. She said the government troops recovered four M4 carbine rifles and one M203 grenade launcher left by the fleeing terrorists. “Meanwhile, troops reaching Brgy Saber were able to rescue 121 civilians whose safe passage towards the Provincial Capitol was immediately facilitated,” she noted. Robina Asido/DMS