[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ 82IB soldiers in Marawi City not going back to Iloilo yet ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – Marawi City has been liberated from terrorists but the 525 troops of the Miag-ao, Iloilo-based 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) of the Philippine Army sent to that beleaguered Mindanao city on June 17 won’t be returning to their base just yet.
They would help in the clearing and rehabilitation of Marawi City, said Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
“Kasi may mga threats pa doon and the area needs to be secured,” said Aying.
Yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte formally declared Marawi liberated, a day after the Department of National Defense confirmed the death of top terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
Aying confirmed that three of the troops were previously wounded in clashes with the Maute terrorist group but were now okay. He did not identify them.
“Hindi naman masyadong serious. They were given medical treatment,” said Aying.
The 82IB, though based in Miag-ao, covers the provinces of Antique and Guimaras, the 1st and 2nd districts of Iloilo province, and Iloilo City.
There are actually a total of 1,500 soldiers from Western Visayas currently in Marawi City, said Aying. Aside from the 82IB troops, the 15th Infantry Battalion and 11th Infantry Battalion from Negros Island also sent soldiers there.
“Yes, I confirm the killing of (Isnilon) Hapilon at saka Omar Maute,” said Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
The bodies would be subject to DNA test, said Lorenzana, noting that these two have bounties on their heads from foreign countries.
He also said government troops were now chasing a foreign terrorist fighting on the side of the Maute group in Marawi.
“There is still another personality they are trying to get, si Dr. Mamud, the (Malaysian), according to some reports he is still hiding in some of the buildings there,” said Lorenzana.
Lorenzana also confirmed that government troops rescued 17 hostages in Marawi City on Sunday night.
As of yesterday, the number of slain Maute terrorists were placed at 822 along with 162 government troops killed-in-action.
Lorenzana said the Defense department and Armed Forces of the Philippines would announce the termination of hostilities once government forces have ensured that there were no more terrorists-stragglers in Marawi and the city had been cleared of improvised explosive devises and other traps.
“After the fighting stops, we will refocus our efforts on the challenging task of rebuilding Marawi,” the Defense Secretary said.
Lorenzana also stressed martial law would remain in effect in Mindanao.
“We are not talking about lifting martial law yet. Tingnan pa natin, we are only looking in the immediate aftermath of the killing of these two leaders, we may, sabi ko nga, we may be lifting, I mean announcing the cessation of hostilities within this week and then after that we will find out,” said Lorenzana.
President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 declaring martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao. This was a result of the attack of the Maute group in Marawi.
The Defense chief said they have yet to assess the situation for them to determine whether they can recommend the lifting of martial law to the President.
“We will find out, we will assess the entire Mindanao,” said Lorenzana.
Asked about the possible retaliation of Maute remnants, Lorenzana said, “We are prepared. Our troops are prepared. Alam naman natin that it is the modus operandi of the enemy to make, to create diversion dito, diversion dyan, retaliation din.” (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
