Marawi cleared of terrorist stragglers

MANILA, Philippines — Marawi has been cleared of both local and foreign terrorist stragglers, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared yesterday.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office head, said sporadic fighting since Marawi was declared liberated from terrorists last month, has stopped.

“There is  no more fighting. It is a clear indication that we have neutralized the remaining stragglers,” Arevalo said.

He said soldiers did not find a single enemy in the main battle area in the last two weeks.

Arevalo said ground forces are now focused on clearing the area of debris, unexploded bombs as well as booby traps left by the terrorists in preparation for reconstruction and rehabilitation works. 

Twelve foreign-looking terrorists were recently killed during a military “sweep” of the main battle zone. 

At least 30 high-powered firearms submerged in Lake Lanao in front of buildings that Maute militants had occupied in Barangay Marinaut were also recovered last weekend. 

Arevalo said the AFP leadership believes that among the slain foreign terrorists was Malaysian bomber Amin Baku.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Baku assumed leadership of the Maute group following the death of Isnilon Hapilon.

“Based on our observation, all the stragglers have been neutralized,” Arevalo said.

Leni, Sara visit battle zone

 As this developed, Vice President Leni Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio visited the main battle area yesterday morning. They also both prayed and lighted candles at St. Mary’s church, but their paths did not cross.

Zia Alonto Adiong, Task Force Bangon Marawi spokesman, said Robredo also visited the Amay Pakpak Hospital and donated medicine and relief packs.

Carpio, who came with Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, distributed relief goods in Barangay Basak Malutlut.

Carpio handed the P5 million assistance from the Davao City government while Cayetano gave another P5 million  from Taguig. 

Neutral ground

“The main battle area is a neutral ground…Political differences should be set aside…We can actually work together to...help the people because this is a crisis,” Adiong said. 

In a post on Facebook, Robredo said it was ”overwhelming to see the extent of the damage left by the siege.”

”While the setback is disheartening, I believe it is high time for us to unite in making rehabilitation faster...The ruins left by the clashes remind us that we must take the voices of the locals into consideration...Convergence is necessary to cover as much ground as possible in extending assistance to affected communities,” she said.

Power supplier gets P150-M loan

Meanwhile, to speed up power restoration in Marawi, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is extending a loan of P150 million to the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Lasureco).

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the amount would be used to procure construction materials to rehabilitate distribution lines in the city.

“There are 34 electric cooperatives all over Mindanao that we are mobilizing to help Lasureco,” Masongsong said.

Lasureco is Marawi’s major power supplier.

NEA said it expects to complete power restoration and rehabilitation works in Marawi in 15 to 30 days.  – With Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado, Danessa Rivera