Gov’t security ring vs Maute; Australia offers help vs IS

THE government has tightened its security ring around the besieged city of Marawi and the remaining Maute rebel forces there.

Time for return to normal life and reconstruction.

*** The Australian government has offered to help the Philippines train its troops in fighting Islamic militants identified with the Islamic State (IS).

Time to train and strengthen troops vs IS forces.

***

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año said government forces will tightly guard the perimeters of the city and make sure that sympathizers won’t be able to sneak in to reinforce the Maute terrorists.

“That’s our main goal. (There’s) no way out, no way in (for them). If they want to join, we will give them the chance to go to heaven,” Año said.

*** To help speed up normalization, Año led in the send-off for the 105strong, all-female Civil Relations Company (CRC) in Metro Manila to Marawi City.

Women power tapped for sensitive normalization job.

***

Año said Maute Group leaders Abdullah and Omar Maute and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon could still be holed up in Marawi.

But we don’t expect the battle to last very long since the area which the terrorists still control is getting smaller each day, he added. *** “I don’t want to give a timetable, but we have seen the developments and the progress of our campaign. Deliberately we are getting their strongholds, especially the Grand Islamic Mosque, and we are happy to say that we have preserved it and didn’t bomb it,” Año said.

“Small area na lang ito, about 500 square meters where we will expect fierce confrontation with the Maute,” he added.

*** Año said the recent attempt to reinforce Maute Group fighters still holed up in Marawi was foiled when alert troops killed 10 terrorists following a three-hour clash in Lanao Lake, Lanao del Sur.

The suspected terrorists were chanced upon on board two motorized pump boats at about 2:30 a.m., he disclosed.

*** “We just want to show here, if they will attempt to reinforce or they will escape, we are ready to get them,” Año said.

Translation: AFP is ready for further battles.

*** Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa said they are now preparing for the rehabilitation of the Marawi City Police Station which the Maute Group occupied when they attacked the city last May 23.

“We will replace it after this war,” he said.

*** The Australian government said it will help train the Philippine military tackle Islamic militants terrorizing some parts of Southern Philippines by show of force and flying black IS flags.

The threat is “deeply concerning,” it said.

*** Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she recently spoke to President Duterte who wanted to bolster resources for the AFP.

Australia, which has a defense cooperation with Manila and deployed recently two high-tech AP-3C Orion aircraft for surveillance, is willing to provide further help, Bishop assured. *** “We would be ready to support the Philippines ... in advising, assisting and training,” the ambassador said.

Yes to counter-terrorism and effective assistance from friends.