AFP's Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera reported the attacks as "very deliberate, very precise" bombs were fired in the Barangays of Gadongan, Basak Malutlut, and Bangol to get rid of the remaining members of the terrorist group.
"We are conducting clearing operations in three barangays… we have sightings of the remnants of the local terrorist group. They are still here but we are flushing them out. We are flushing them out,” Lt. Col. Herrera told the reporters.
According to Herrera, it is confirmed that the leader of the Abu Sayyaf terror group and also known as the head of Islamic State in the country stayed in Marawi City. The information was based on residents of the communities who reported sighting the terrorist which is why his group still remains in the city.
The siege and gunfights started on Tuesday after the military conducted a raid at the apartment where Hapilon and his group were staying.
So far, the terrorist group have burned down buildings, killied at least nine locals in checkpoints and kidnapped church personnel.
However, 31 from the government are wounded for the past two days of operation while five soldier and two police officers are confirmed killed during operations while 13 from the terrorist group were killed.
Thankfully, there has been no collateral damage during government operations but Lt. Col. Herrera didn't disclose any information if there are any other civilian casualties for it still needs to be verified.
"Nag-iingat po tayo. Ang mga sundalo, ingat din na ‘wag magkaron ng collateral damage. We’re very thankful na sa record namin, wala pang collateral damage,'" he confirmed.
He also confirmed that the terrorist group does not have any controlled area, however, their moves are desperate, very fluid and dynamic and that they are also doing the same. They reposition and move continuously to totally out maneuver the Maute.
Our tempo is tuloy-tuloy. The challenge here is the cooperation of the community, the LGUs, so they could at least help us pinpoint and totally neutralize them,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.
Source: INQ
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