By: Francis T. Wakefield
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office chief Marine Col. Edgard Arevalo has said that ground forces have so far recovered eight buildings controlled by extremists in Marawi City.
In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Arevalo said that the war in Marawi is nearing its end.
“We are nearing its ending, meaning we are nearing the conclusion. We are in the final stage of our operation sa Marawi,” Arevalo said.
Arevalo said that despite the challenges or difficulties troops are facing as a result of the strong resistance shown by the enemy, they were able to score victories.
“Napakahirap ng ating challenge na hinaharap masaya tayo sapagkat nakarecover tayo ng walong buildings na dati inoccupy ng Maute-ISIS Group but we are happy because we were able to recover eights buildings occupied by the Maute-ISIS Group,” Arevalo said.
“We were able to gain something as a result of the death of our 13 Marines which we now consider as heroes. We were able to gain 500 square meters of area when we able to get the buildings,” he added.
Arevalo said the buildings were used as stronghold by Maute snipers targeting soldiers, civilians, and even non-government organizations.
“That was a stronghold of their sniper nests. We were also able to get additional high-powered firearms. So we can say that were getting close to it, were getting nearer with it,” he said.
Arevalo denied a report that government forces have bombed or planning to bomb mosques in Marawi. “We are issuing this statement on account of the news report that says that the mosques in Marawi have become target of opportunities. We categorically state that we have not bombed any and will not bomb mosques in Marawi,” Arevalo said.
“The AFP leadership is firm in this commitment to use other options that would flush the Maute-ISIS Group from these places of worship that they have converted into machine guns or sniper’s nests, defensive positions, and arsenals of their war wherewithals,” he added.