THE government troops, mindful of the civilians still trapped, continue to employ "calculated" strikes to flush out the remaining members of the Maute Group in Marawi City.
Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief, on Tuesday said that precise assault is vital to completely free the besieged city of Marawi from the terrorists "with minimal if not zero collateral damage."
"Despite numerous attempts to reach out to the Maute (group), they refuse to have a stand down in order to evacuate trapped civilians thus, the need to be very careful and to make calculated actions is very important for your armed forces as of the moment in order to avoid collateral damage and loss of life from among the innocent civilians," Galvez said.
Brigadier General Rolando Joselito Bautista, Joint Task Force Marawi commander, on Tuesday, May 30, said the focus of the troops is to clear Marawi City of rebels and to rescue trapped civilians as well as recover civilian casualties and victims in the fastest means possible.
As of Tuesday, the government troops have rescued 560 civilians trapped in different locations of Marawi City.
"Clearing operations continue in some parts of the City. Soldiers are searching for terrorist inch by inch, making sure that they are not hiding in houses," Bautista said.
The Wesmincom reported that 65 members of the Maute Group were killed with 42 bodies recovered by the troops and 19 others confirmed by eye witnesses. The soldiers also recovered 52 firearms.
Troops also recovered 19 dead bodies of civilians who were "mercilessly killed by the terrorist...in the different areas of the city."
Government forces lost 20 personnel--17 soldiers and three policemen--while 72 others--69 soldiers and three policemen--were wounded.
"In doing so, we are sad to report to the Filipino people that 20 of your soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and more than 50 were wounded," Galvez said.
"We ask for support and understanding from the people affected. We are giving our best effort to get all terrorists the soonest," Galvez added. (VoxPop Philippines)
