Military in final push in Marawi
Government troops are making the “final push” against the remaining terrorists in Marawi City after regaining control of another strategic bridge in the battle area, Malacañang said on Sunday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Major Generals Rolando Bautista and Danilo Pamonag, Commanders of the Joint Task Force Marawi and of the Joint
Special Operations Task Force Trident respectively, crossed for the first time the retaken Bayabao and Masui Bridges at about 10 a.m. on Sunday. They were met on the other end by Brig. Gen. Melquiades Ordiales, commander of Joint Task Force Tiger.
These bridges were recently recovered and controlled by government forces from the Maute terrorist group that laid siege in Marawi City.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the retaking of the Masiu Bridge was a significant development in the government’s goal of ending the rebellion in Marawi.
“The Masiu Bridge is the bridge said to be closest to Lake Lanao and is a possible escape route of the remaining terrorist rebels still holed up in the main battle area,” Abella said.
“Government troops are now in the final push and despite the enemy’s continued resistance, our recent successes would hopefully lead to the eventual liberation of the entire city and pave the way back to normalcy,” he added.
Four months into the fighting in Marawi, the military has reclaimed Masiu Bridge previously held by the rebels during operations last Friday. The government earlier took control of Mapandi Bridge and Bayabao Bridge from the terrorists.
President Duterte recently assured that the military was winding up operations in Marawi but ruled out holding a victory celebration. Duterte said he prefers to hold a thanksgiving event, including a mass, for the troops and other people who died in the Maute-led rebellion.
Release, surrender Bautista said crossing the two bridges - Bayabao and Masui - is a significant progress in the effort of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to defeat the terrorists, rescue the remaining hostages, and regain control of the whole city.
The military earlier said that the Maute Group is still holding some 45 to 50 hostages.
“The terrorists are now becoming desperate as our soldiers and police are closing in on their defensive positions,” Bautista said.
“We are continuing our appeal to the terrorists to release their hostages and for them to surrender,” he added.
The AFP Western Mindanao Command said that on the 125th day since the siege started on May 23, 2017, a total of 151 soldiers and police and 694 Maute terrorists have died as a result of the heavy fighting.
During his 5th visit to Marawi City last September 21, 2017, President Duterte said that “the end of the combat operation is just around the corner.”
The Chief Executive said that once the firefight is over, the daunting task of rehabilitation will proceed full blast.
Fighting between government troops and Islamic State-linked rebels erupted last May 23, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes. The conflict has left more than 800 people dead and Marawi City in ruins.
President Duterte has promised to use a portion of the tax settlement from Mighty Corporation to rebuild Marawi.
Mosque Malacañang also clarified that the Masjid Abu Bakr Mosque has not reopened since it is located in the main battle area.
“Government forces have significantly gained grounds by the recovery and complete control of the areas where the following are located: Grand Mosque, Jamiatul Philippines Al-Islamiya School, Bayabao (Bangolo) and Masiu (New) Bridges, Pacasum Square and other prominent Mosques in Brgy. Marinaut,” Abella said.
He expressed hope that with the recent developments in Marawi City, including the rescue of Catholic priest Father Teresito “Chito” Soganub, the Marawi crisis is nearing its end.
“These recent successes will hopefully lead to the quick resolution of this conflict, and eventually, the total liberation of Marawi,” Abella said.
Blood donation
Troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) donated blood for the casualties who are fighting at the forefront in Marawi City.
AFP WestMinCom spokesperson Captain Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said WestMinCom personnel participated in the bloodletting activity held at the WestMinCom gymnasium in Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City at around 8 a.m. Saturday.
Petinglay said the bloodletting was organized by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Civil-Military Operations, OU7, to benefit the wounded soldiers and to commemorate the 11th founding anniversary of the WestMinCom.
Among those who donated were soldiers of the Task Force Zamboanga, 54th ECBde, 3TOC, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao.
“This good deed bridges the lives of our wounded comrades who braved the battleground. Our gratitude goes to those who have donated blood for the sake of our battle casualties,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.