Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. is rallying troops to sustain the ongoing military operations against the Daesh-inspired Maute-ISIS group in Lanao del Sur province.
Col. Noel Detoyato, chief of the AFP-Public Affairs Office, said that the AFP chief also directed government forces to secure civilians and ensure that other areas, particularly Marawi City, are safe from the terrorists.
“The command guidance is to continue to pursue remaining Maute members while making sure that security arrangements are in place for the start of Marawi rehabilitation,” Detoyato said.
As of yesterday, government troops continued to conduct pursuit operations against the group of Owayda Benito Marohombsar, alias Abu Dar, in the mountainous areas of Tubaran and Pagayawan in Lanado del Sur.
At least five Maute-ISIS militants were reported killed during military air, artillery and ground assaults since Sunday.
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Lanao del Sur Gov. Soraya Alonto Adiong yesterday said that more than 1,300 families from Tubaran and Pagayawan towns have been displaced by the ongoing operation in the area.
She said a total 1,391 families were affected — 464 of whom are now staying inside evacuation centers in Tubaran and nearby Binidayan.
Adiong said the local government has already provided assistance to the internally displaced persons.
“We are in tight coordination and monitoring with the military and other authorities for the continuous response and assistance,” Adiong said.
The governor expressed hopes that the conflict will no longer escalate.
“We are asking the security sector to do all proportionate means to ensure the safety of the public and the preservation of their properties. We hope and pray for this armed conflict not to escalate to other nearby municipalities,” Adiong said.
Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ranao, said that air and artillery strikes were halted as the Maute-ISIS group had dispersed.
Relatedly, the Philippine Army is bidding out P2.6 billion worth of various types of ammunition to replenish its armament following the five-month Marawi City siege last year.
