LANAO DEL SUR (DWDD) – The terror reign of the Daesh-inspired Maute Group in the City of Marawi is nearing its end.
This is according to ARRM Assemblyman and Provincial Crisis Management Committee spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong, although he declined to give a deadline.
Sporadic fighting is still on-going but the main battle area has been limited to two hectares.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in its final phase of clearing the city of remaining terrorist and from booby traps and unexploded ordnance. Government forces are carefully scouring the remaining infrastructures and conducting assaults on enemy positions to avoid inflicting any harm on the remaining hostages.
Police special forces check vehicles at a checkpoint near the entrance to Marawi on May 25, 2017. Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP
It is confirmed that there is still an estimated 40 to 60 hostages, made up of mostly women and children. Although it was revealed that some families seen in the custody of the Maute are actually their family members.
The AFP also clarified that the previously circulated October 15 deadline is only a target date, since they have made it clear that they will not announce any deadlines. This was aimed at easing any pressure on the advancing troops to avoid unwanted casualties and to prevent civilians from being frustrated.
Adiong also added that they have not allowed the evacuees to return to their homes, since the Joint Task Force Ranao has not given any go-signal yet. The situation remains volatile, even in “military controlled area”. They are trying to avoid evacuating civilians again and again, unless the situation has normalized.
He also explained that once the situation normalizes, they have already made mechanism on how to implement the orderly return of civilians to Marawi City. The system involves the clustering of residents by barangay for a smooth and safe return to their homes.
As of the latest, there are a total of 392,000 evacuees awaiting return to Marawi. AES
http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/final-stage-marawi-siege-nearing-end/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.