AFP: Militants' number dwindling, fighting may be over soon

MANILA, Philippines — The military said on Friday that fighting in Marawi would be over soon as the number of Islamist militants still entrenched in the city continued to dwindle.

In a press conference in Malacañang, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, a military spokesman, said that based on the estimates of ground commanders, only around 80 fighters remained.

This meant that the clashes in the city, which are already on their 46th day, would end soon, according to Padilla.

“Hindi na ganun katagal siguro tulad nung kasing tagal ngayon pang-ilang linggo na tayo,” Padilla said.

The military spokesman said that government forces were encountering less resistance in many areas while in some, the militants were still engaging security personnel in heavy clashes.

“Dahil sa ilang lugar hindi na sila sumasagot tulad nung ibang linggo. Panaka-naka na lang. May ibang lugar na matindi pa silang lumaban. Their stockpile of weapons could still be there and they may still have enough,” Padilla said.

The fighting that has decimated Marawi’s main business district has already killed 353 rebels, 87 security forces and 39 civilians.

It has also displaced most of the city’s 200,000 residents as well as many from neighboring towns in Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte.

Many of the evacuees are living in temporary shelters set up by the government. However, conditions in these accommodations have led to the death of some of the displaced civilians.

Padilla said that around 200 to 300 civilians remained trapped in the fighting which is now confined only in four villages in Marawi’s downtown.

Security personnel and local government units have so far rescued 1,722 civilians from the fighting, according to the latest available data.

Padilla assured the public especially those who were affected that the military was doing everything it could to “expedite” the liberation of Marawi City.

He appealed for more understanding as the operations in the area were difficult and troops needed to be careful in their movements.

“The Armed Forces given the fact that it has not been announcing any deadlines is working overtime to expedite the process of the liberation of Marawi. Ginagawa po natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang matapos na itong gulong ito sa madaling panahon,” he said.

“Pero batid naman po niyo na hindi ganun kadali ang operasyon na ito. Sa mga paliwanag natin nung mga nakaraang linggo, itong environment na kinaroroonan ng bakbakang ito ay hindi biro kaya kinakailangan maging maingat tayo sa paggalaw natin,” Padilla added.

The siege of Marawi started on May 23 after a failed attempt by government forces to arrest Abu Sayyaf subleader Isnilon Hapilon who is also an appointed commander of the so-called ISIS.

The fighting soon spiraled out of control, and President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao later that day under military rule.