AFP ready to protect civilians from Maute – Malacañang

Malacañang assured the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is prepared to protect civilians in case the Maute Group launches another attack in Lanao del Sur.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the firefight between the AFP and remnants of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group in Tubaran, Lanaodel Sur Sunday.

Roque, in his press briefing, said he thinks the firefight only proves that martial law is still needed in Mindanao as there are still enemies in the region.

“Maybe this proves that we still have enemies in Mindanao and that's why it is still under martial law,” he said in Filipino.

“But this should not cause alarm as there are only a few of them and I think because of the martial law, it will be difficult for them to make tangible gains, he added.

Roque did admit, however, that the Maute Group finding a new leader, and now having a capability to fight the soldiers, is a somehow disturbing.

“It really is disturbing that they now have a new leader and they can now fight the soldiers,” he said.

While the government cannot assure that there are no more enemies in Mindanao, Roque said the people can expect that the AFP is ready to protect the civilians there.

“Well, we cannot assure that we have no more enemies in Lanao del Sur, but I can assure that the AFP is ready to protect the civilians there,” he said.

Based on reports, around 500 families from Tubaran were evacuated due to the firefight. Around 255 families were displaced in Pagayawan, with 57 families currently in evacuation centers.

Reports also said that some residents were trapped in Barangays Padas and Diampaca in Pagayawan.

Government forces had won its fivemonth battle against the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, in October last year. The military was able to kill the terrorists’ leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

When the war erupted on May 23, 2017, President Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law and has suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

When the martial law expired the following month, the Congress granted it a six-month extension. In December last year, the Congress also allowed an extended martial law until December 31, 2018.

Duterte asked the Congress to extend martial law citing existing threats of communist rebels and other armed groups, and the reported terrorist recruitment in the island.