30 percent of Marawi City cleared of explosives – AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that it has already cleared 30 percent of Marawi’s most affected areas of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices as the Joint Engineer Task Group (JETF) continues its rehabilitation efforts in the city.

“The JETG continues its main mission of clearing explosives completing around 30.percent of the whole most affected area,” said AFP chief engineer Major General Arnold Rafael Depakakibo

As of December 15, 2017, a total of 2,853 assorted unexploded ordnance and 415 improvised explosive devices were recovered by the JETG.

This was done through the support of Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Company and K-9 Teams from the Philippine Army and Philippines Air Force.

The JETG also completed the clearing of more or less 20 kilometers of primary and secondary roads, three major bridges, a school, and three places of worship immediately after the liberation of Marawi.

This resulted in the timely conduct of post-conflict needs assessment by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“We also continue our limited construction support to government agencies involved in supporting the maintenance of evacuation centers,” Depakakibo said.

Aside from construction support, the JETG also assisted the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in the construction of 500 temporary shelters for the evacuees.