THE terrorist leadership in Marawi City was “crumbling” as the Maute group fighters and their allies continued to suffer losses, military officials said Monday.
Since the terrorists overran Marawi on May 23, 290 of them have been killed, while 70 soldiers and policemen have been slain in the fighting. Twenty-seven civilians have also died.
In a briefing in the war-torn city, Task Force Marawi spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said a victory for the government was now “irreversible” as the terrorists were running out of ammunition.
“We have validated reports there are leadership problems inside. They also lack ammunition,” Herrera said.
He said some of the Islamist fighters were ready to abandon the fight as their defensive zone continues to shrink due to the government advance.
“There is the issue of money, the issue of decision making. Some of them, especially those other groups, would like to get away from the battle zone. They want to leave. However, there are some who want to stay behind to hold their positions,” Herrera said.
Herrera said government forces were inching their way into areas still held by the terrorists, clearing 86 buildings they had previously occupied.
“We are, inch by inch, moving towards the center of gravity,” Herrera said. “These are the things that are affecting them in terms of morale. They’re weakening.”
Herrera said the only obstacles to fully liberating Marawi was the presence of residents trapped in the fighting, and those held hostage by the terrorists. The militants also planted bombs in the battle zone, he said.
The government said the military’s eight-hour “humanitarian pause” on Sunday, which was declared in observance of the Islamic celebration of the Eid’l-Fitr, was “generally peaceful.”
Herrera said six civilians were rescued during the break in fighting.
Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the tide was definitely turning against the remaining Maute group terrorists in Marawi.
“Right now the terrorist group is feeling the might of the Armed Forces and [the AFP] is closing in on their positions,” he said.
The military official added that with the reduction of Maute group combatants, some civilian hostages were being forced to fight or carry ammunition and supplies for the terrorists with execution as an alternative for those who refuse.
Arevalo placed the number of civilians still in the hands of the terrorists at 150 to 200. He added that the military estimated there were some 100 to 120 Maute group fighters left in the city.
The AFP official said they also received reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the ISIS “Emir” in Southeast Asia, has already abandoned his companions, creating a massive morale problem.
“We were told by those rescued that Isnilon Hapilon has abandoned his companions… This is subject to validation process but we have received that information,” he added.
“But if he has indeed left, the AFP will continue to track him and run after him,” Arevalo said.
Also on Monday, the Defense Department blasted leftist groups for saying that women in Marawi were afraid of being raped by soldiers battling the terrorists.
“While the nation continues to suffer from the havoc wrought by the ongoing rebellion in Marawi and atrocities in various parts of Mindanao, some factions obviously have a lot of free time on matters other than helping improve the stituation,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said soldiers have undergone a series of gender sensitivity trainings that focus on participation, empowerment, equity and respect for human rights.
Women in evacuation centers are separated from male evacuees and are being supervised by various local government agency units, while soldiers guard the facility at the perimeter for protection, Lorenzana said.
“To this day, close to 70 soldiers and policemen have already paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of Marawi City and our people, with many more wounded and in need of serious medical attention,” Lorenzana said.
“The groups who made the report have just exposed their obvious ulterior motives–for the government to fail in the fight against evil in order to advance whatever selfish reasons they have,” Lorenzana added.
“Isn’t this the same group that is blind to the crimes of their comrades in the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. The same groups, who conveniently forget that their communist-terrorist colleagues continue to loot, murder, rape, and destroy private and public properties in the countryside,” Lorenzana said in Filipino. “Are you not bothered by your conscience?”
He challenged the leftist groups to provide evidence of abuses and lodge a complaint in the proper forum.
He said the Filipino people have trusted and bestowed confidence on their military, the only Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Also on Monday, the Department of Public Works and Highways said it will start clearing the roads and start rebuilding Marawi City as soon as the government military and police clear and remove all improvised explosive devices, landmines and unexploded bombs in the war-torn city.