Wesmincom: Military cannot disregard lives of Maute hostages
August 15, 2017 | 1:05pm
Soldiers escort rescued civilians in a village on the outskirts of Marawi. Families trapped in the clashes have been asked to prepare flags made of white cloth to signal government troops for rescue. AFP, file
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines want to recover all hostages still held by the Maute group alive and is considering their lives in its operations against the terrorists in Marawi City.
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the military's Western Mindanao Command and Joint Task Force Marawi, said they cannot disregard the lives of the captives.
“We value lives and we are not even considering indiscriminate strikes and assaults on the ground if ever there was this call or signal from the victims,” Petinglay said.
The assurance was made after Catholic priest Teresito ‘Chito’ Suganob hinted that he is ready to die and would rather be hit by an airstrike against the Maute terrorists holding him and other hostages.
Sources on the ground disclosed the military is preparing for a so-called final push based on information provided by escaped hostages and by military intelligence.
Petinglay said the military cannot predict how the Islamic State-inspired Maute group will treat hostages in case of a major offensive.
She said firefights have been ongoing despite strong rains in the city.
Gen. Eduardo Año, Armed Forces chief-of-staff, said earlier this week that troops are considering the presence of hostages in their operations.
Año said about 56 civilian hostages, including Fr. Suganob, are still inside the battle zone held by the Maute group.
“We want all actions... steps to be careful and we don’t want to lose lives if possible,” Año said.
R.Adm. Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said the Maute group's chances to escape through Lake Lanao are remote because of the presence of the Navy, Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group and Army Special Forces there. — Roel Pareño
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