SOME 13 Maute group fighters were killed in the latest military operations aimed at clearing Marawi City of terrorists, the Armed Forces said yesterday.
“Our operations to flush out and deal with terrorist stragglers has been continuing relentlessly since yesterday (Wednesday). Last night’s operations has been very positive. We were able to neutralize 13 rebels and we confirm this,” Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año said.
Año said the military has yet to confirm if Malaysian terrorist Mahmud Ahmad was among those who were killed in the operation.
“The AFP is increasingly becoming confident that he was among those who have been killed during yesterday’s operations. The process to confirm this with finality, however, is still ongoing. Earlier information regarding this was received from the rescued hostages. We are now working on getting full confirmation,” Año said.
Ahmad was earlier spotted by government forces as among Maute brigands led by slain terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute in Marawi City.
Año also confirmed the rescue of seven more hostages, among them a wounded teenage girl.
Meanwhile, six soldiers were wounded in Wednesday’s operations but they are now out of danger, Año said.
Based on the military’s estimates, there are around 20 remaining hostages trapped in the strife-torn city.
He assured the military’s strong will to end the almost five-month long conflict.
“Troop morale remains very high and motivation to finish the fight is at its highest,” he stressed.
On Tuesday, President Duterte declared Marawi City “liberated” from terrorists’ hands following the death of Hapilon and Maute. (pna)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
