Airstrikes resume in Marawi to flush out remaining terrorists

Fire and smoke rise over Marawi City after the series of airstrikes from OV-10 hit the main target of airstrike on June 29, 2017. As of July 12, 2017, the Armed Forces of the Philippines estimated that 389 terrorists from the Maute Group and their Abu Sayyaf associates have been killed in military operations since May 23, 2017.  (PHOTO BY RICHEL V. UMEL / INQUIRER MINDANAO)

MARAWI CITY — After the guns were silenced by bad weather on Tuesday night, the military resumed airstrikes Wednesday morning in a bid to flush out remaining militants occupying portions of the city.

The Philippine Air Force FA-50 planes dropped four 500-pound bombs towards the position of Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson for the military’ Joint Task Force Marawi, said the airstrikes were aimed at about 80 gunmen who were still holding high-rise defensive positions.

President Duterte on Tuesday said he needed about 15 more days to end the Marawi fighting.

In Linamon, Lanao del Norte, the local government has urged officials in its eight villages to prevent the entry and recruitment of the terrorists.

Linamon Mayor Randy Macapil urged the barangay officials to identify, register and report any presence of non-residents in their villages.

“We have to defend our municipality,” Macapil said.

Armed Forces Public Affairs chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo said the military’s casualty as the fighting entered its 51st day Wednesday rose to 90 but did not provide additional details.

Arevalo said the Maute group also suffered 389 deaths since fighting started on May 23.

Herrera said the military has devised a method to confirm enemy casualties – including actual visuals by troops on the ground.  SFM