Duterte Gov’t Now In Control Of 96 Barangays In Marawi City

The government of President Rodrigo Duterte is in control of the 96 urban and rural barangays in war-torn Marawi City and is now focusing on the remaining portions of the city’s four barangays where an estimated 100 members of the Maute terror group are still hiding.

This was disclosed by Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, Spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Saturday, June 17, who also revealed that the ground troops already recovered several firearms, cache of live ammunition, communication facilities, and computers left by the Maute terror group in the war zone.

President Duterte, who ended his five-day private time by visiting troops in Barangay Bancasi, Butuan City, Saturday afternoon, said that the Marawi siege was not a result of failure of intelligence but admitted that the government has become soft when it comes to dealing with rebels.

The President said the Maute group was able to stock up on their arms and ammunition before challenging the government by laying siege in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, on May 23.

“It was not a question of failure on the part of the government. We have adopted a very soft policy towards rebels,” he stressed.

“This came about because nagdadala sila ng baril eh (They were bringing firearms). And since we are thinking of getting peace with the MNLF and MILF, ang laro ng armas diyan (the existence of firearms there), we took it for granted,” President Duterte said, referring to the Moro rebel groups Moro Islamic and Moro National Liberation Fronts.

Padilla declined to divulge the number of combat maneuvering troops now penetrating the four barangays in Marawi City as tactical movement is still ongoing.

He also did not give the exact number of casualties on the side of the Maute terror group and even from the government forces as fighting, which is now on its 28th day, still rages.

“We don’t want to give you the numbers for the meantime and probably after clearing operations, we can already determine the exact figures,” he said.

He said air strikes will continue to cripple the remaining enemy positions and also to protect the troops on the ground.

Padilla also said ground commanders are verifying reports that the three Maute brothers were reportedly killed during the clashes.

“We are still assessing and validating these reports as of this time,” he said.

“Masigasig ang ating mga sundalo na matapos na ito, we’re nearing to a conclusion” Padilla added, but refused to give the timeline to newsmen when the Marawi crisis will end.

Source: Newswatch PH