AFP chopper drops surrender feelers to terrorists, instructions to hostages

The commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Westmincom) Monday said that aside from the 28 hostages – 12 children

and 16 women – still in the hands of the Islamic Sate-inspired Maute Group, the enemy also has with them 31 to 33 of their dependents.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez made the revelation as the conflict in war-torn Marawi entered its 140th day.

“Based doon sa revelation na may 12 children and 16 women na bihag, may 31 or 33 dependents of Maute and Abu Sayyaf. Dala nila iyung pamilya (Aside from the 12 children and 16 women who are hostages, the Maute and Abu Sayyaf have 31 to 33 dependents. They brought with them their families),” Galvez said.

“That’s why we are calling their attention na yung lahat ng nandun (all of them there) should be separated. As much as possible non-combatants are non-military targets,” he said.

A helicopter was sent to the area and dropped a bottle containing instructions to non-combatants. “Those who want to surrender are also given instructions on what to do... to preclude collateral damage to non-combatants.

4 leaders, 9 foreigners Galvez, at the same time, said that they have received word that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute, Dr. Mamud, and Amin Bako, and the six to nine foreign terrorists are still alive and are still in Marawi.

He expressed confidence that these terrorist leaders could be neutralized soon.

“That is why we are moving slowly. They are considered dangerous and very aggressive... very aggressive and desperate,” Galvez said.

“Maganda yung latag ng forces natin, ... we are very confident na kayangkaya natin ito. The commander (on the ground) reported to me that there is positive development ongoing right now,” he said.

Galvez also said that they received information that three of the foreign terrorists had been wounded by airstrikes. He also expressed belief that Omar Maute was also wounded in the assault in Bato Mosque.

“During the assault on Bato Mosque, there were more than 15 killed in the area and we believe that Omar was the overall leader in Bato mosque. That’s the report from the ground,” Galvez said.

774 dead, 810 guns taken

As of 7 p.m. Sunday, a total of 774 Maute terrorists had already been killed and 810 firearms were recovered from them, Galvez said.

As of Monday morning, the sector of Task Group Vector of both the Marines and the Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG) under Col. Corleto Vinluan had been cleared of the Mautes, he said.

Still to be cleared is the sector of Task Group Musang under Brig. Gen. Glenn Paje. “We are confident that we might be able to clear the remaining area, more or less four to five hectares, in the next next few days,” Galvez said.

Galvez said that this past week, government troops cleared an additional 141 buildings, including the Lumber Mosque which was recaptured on Sunday. However, in the course of this effort, three soldiers were killed, bringing the total number of soldiers and policemen killed in action to 158.