30% of affected area in Marawi City free of explosives —AFP

From GMA News (Dec 30): 30% of affected area in Marawi City free of explosives —AFP

Two months after liberating Marawi City from the Maute group, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has only cleared 30 percent of the affected area of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive device.

Major General Arnold Rafael Depakakibo, AFP's chief engineer, said the Joint Joint Engineer Task Group (JETF) has recovered a total of 2,853 assorted unexploded ordnance and 415 improvised explosive devices as of December 15.

Depakakibo also reported that the JETG has completed the clearing of more or less 20 kilometers of primary and secondary roads, three major bridges, a school, and three places of worship immediately after the liberation of Marawi. This resulted to the timely conduct of post-conflict needs assessment by the Department of Public Works and Highways, he said.

“We also continue our limited construction support to government agencies involved in supporting the maintenance of evacuation centers,” Depakakibo added.

Aside from construction support, the JETG also assisted the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in the construction of 500 temporary shelters for the displaced residents of Marawi City. A total of 250 units have already awarded while the other 250 will be awarded next month.

More than 500 military engineers are currently deployed in Marawi City as part of the JETG, which is supporting the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation operations being led by Task Force Bangon Marawi. Aside from manpower, the AFP utilized its construction vehicles and equipment to clear-off rubble and debris as well as in the demolition of buildings in the city.

Over the course of the Marawi conflict, military engineers provided support to operating troops in the area which include route reconnaissance and surveys; road and site clearing operations; wall breaching and timber cutting operations; and constructions of ramps and platforms for mechanized assets.

President Duterte declared that Marawi City has been liberated from the terror group on October 18, almost five months after the Maute group laid siege to the city on May 23.

The local terror group's attack prompted Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao, which has been extended until Dec. 31, 2018.

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