‘Marawi crisis nears end,’ Army assures

By Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief

Iligan City — “It is just a matter of time when the government really takes full control,’’ Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division told reporters over the weekend.

“Paliit ng paliit ang area nila,” he said.

On Saturday, several fighting planes, including the country’s newest jets, conducted bomb runs from dawn to noon.

Herrera said there are about 80 highise buildings that the military is trying to clear.

He said terrorist leader Abdullah Maute is “still in command” and “foreign terrorists are still there” in the area.

The death toll has been continually increasing since the armed conflict erupted on May 23. At least 366 terrorist have been killed, while government troopers suffered 87 casualties.

There are 39 civilians have also been executed by the Maute group.

Herrera said the troops are now zeroing in the area where the terrorists are being holed up.

“We have established defensive positions against the Maute,” he said.

However, Herrera said the rehabilitation efforts are well underway adding that the area where the temporary shelters will be built has already been identified.

He enjoined people to be cautious in sharing information that is not validated.

“There is also that danger that the young might be enticed to join the enemy through false information as they can be easily misled,” said Herrera.

For his part, Zia Alonto-Adiong, the spokesperson of the Lanao del Sur crisis management committee, said measures are being drawn up for the massive rehabilitation of the besieged city.

“There is a need to provide soft financial packages for house loans and also to provide the needed capital for the local traders since the crisis have significantly affected the local economy of this city,” he said.

“There’s a need to expand Mandaris system. Military approach will not end the problem, it has to be collective efforts from all sectors,” he said.

According to him, the local government is already in talks with several non-government organizations to help address the root cause of conflict. (with reports from pna)