Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez expressed belief that it would take years before another siege similar to what happened in Marawi City almost a year ago will occur.
In this June 9, 2017, file photo, black smoke from continuing military air strikes rises above a mosque in Marawi city. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Galvez, who was then the chief of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) during the height of the war which left more than a thousand people – militants, soldiers and civilians dead – made the remark following a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Members of the Maute Group and slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon led the siege which took place on May 23, 2017. Marawi City was liberated five months later.
“I believe ano yun, it will, it would take years for the Marawi incident to happen again…That’s why ang ginagawa namin ngayon (what we are doing right now) we are breaking the generational link or generational process so that we can counter the Isis narrative,” Galvez said.
Galvez, at the same time, said that members of the Abu Sayyaf especially the Maute Group suffered a great deal of loss following their defeat from the hands of the government forces.
He said the militants even tried to regroup by recruiting new members but so far they have failed.
“Ang nakikita natin ngayon (What we are seeing now) they have been weakened, greatly weakened, with the success that we had in Marawi,” Galvez said.
Galvez said following the siege there were also massive loose firearms turned over by residents and local officials in Lanao del Sur. More than 2,000 firearms have been turned-over so far.
Galvez said despite the militants’ defeat, the military is not staying complacent and letting their guard down in efforts of preventing the enemy from staging future attacks.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/05/15/afp-breaking-generational-link-to-avert-another-marawi-siege/
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