AFP: We will finish off Hapilon, his men

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday night said that it was determined to “finish off” Abu Sayyaf subleader Isnilon Hapilon and his group’s fighters who are believed to be in Marawi City as the government reassured the public that it is in control of the situation.

The military also appealed on residents to remain calm and to evacuate to safer ground.

In a statement, the AFP said that the joint operations it has with the Philippine National Police were launched to eradicate Isnilon and his men.

It added that the security forces were already acting on reports that Maute Group fighters were occupying a Marawi City hospital and some other buildings in the city.

The military said that it could not give details of the operations yet as the firefight between government forces and the Maute fighters was still ongoing.

The clashes in Marawi City between government forces and Maute fighters are happening as President Rodrigo Duterte and his top security officials are on an official visit to Moscow. Together with the president are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP chief Eduardo Año and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte has "full confidence" in the AFP and PNP in handling the situation.

Statement from Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella | @xtinamen pic.twitter.com/CCUr7eOfaZ

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) May 23, 2017

The AFP said that its operations early Tuesday afternoon were prompted by “reliable information” from concerned citizens in the area. It also assured residents of Marawi City that there were enough government forces and equipment to pursue its military operations.

“We have enough troops and law enforcers on the ground as well as all the appropriate equipment to support our troops,” the military said.

The AFP's Western Mindanao Command said in a statement that security forces had managed to contain a majority of the militants in one area of the city.

"However, some of the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)-inspired sympathizers conducted diversionary tactics in other locations to divide the attention of the reinforcing AFP personnel," the Westmincom said. 

The AFP urged residents to remain calm and go to safer grounds as it appealed to concerned citizens to provide information on enemy location and their movements.

“We also appeal to all our citizens to continue to provide information on enemy location and their movements so we can swiftly conclude this important security operation. Our citizens have the opportunity to contribute and are encouraged to perform their patriotic duty to ensure the safety of their community,” it said.

Esperon told reporters that security officials were on top of the situation.

"We are getting reports from the field...We have increased the deployment of troops," Esperon told reporters in Moscow.

"The points of engagement are in several areas but (armed forces chief) Gen. (Eduardo) Año assured (us) they have full control of the situation," he added.

Esperon said the military has been instructed to pursue the militants and continue applying pressure on them while ensuring the safety of civilians.

Esperon said the president's official visit to Russia would not be cut short because of the incident.

"We will discuss that but it will push through. He (Duterte) is aware of it," he said. -With Alexis Romero and Roel Pareño