AFP, Maute clash in Marawi
The military said yesterday that firefights between security forces and militant fighters began after it received reports on the presence of an Abu Sayyaf subleader in Marawi City.
Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, said in a statement that the operation of the military and the Philippine National Police began after they received reports that Abu Sayyaf subleader Isnilon Hapilon and some of his cohorts were in the city to possibly join Maute Group fighters.
Reports last year said that Hapilon brought some of his Abu Sayyaf fighters from their traditional lair in Basilan to Lanao del Sur to join the Maute Group.
Padilla emphasized that it was the AFP and the PNP that initiated the operation, contrary to reports by some groups.
“Contrary to reports and rumors you are receiving, the AFP-PNP initiated this operation in Marawi. We received reliable info on Hapilon and a number of his cohorts. Updates to follow as the operation is still ongoing. Please do not believe propaganda from other groups,” Padilla said.
Clashes between the military and Maute Group erupted in Marawi City yesterday afternoon after residents reported the presence of armed individuals on the city’s streets, multiple sources said.
Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the firefight started at around 2 p.m. after the military initiated a “surgical operation” following reports on the presence of Maute Group fighters from residents.
“This is based on the report from our communities in Marawi City wherein they spotted an armed group. These communities have reported this to authorities especially the army. We verified the report and initiated a surgical operation pertaining to this armed group, the local terrorist group. The firefight started at around 2 p.m. this afternoon,” Herrera said.—