Wounded troopers, already recovered, return to frontline in Marawi

Government troops are stationed at the gate of the Mindanao State University campus in Marawi City on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, to ensure that students are safe while government troops battle the remaining terrorists holed up in the city. (Photo by RICHEL V. UMEL / Inquirer Mindanao)

ILIGAN CITY – More than 300 government security forces who were earlier injured in the fighting against Islamic State-inspired militants are back on the frontline in Marawi City.

Most of the soldiers who went back in the main battle area suffered only minor injuries, Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi and Western Mindanao Command, told the Inquirer on Sunday.

“They want to help their colleagues and would like to take part in our campaign to liberate the city,” Petinglay said.

She said only a small portion of Marawi was still under the control of the militants, but the situation remained complicated as terrorists were still holding around 50 hostages.

Since May 23 when fighting broke out, at least 130 troops have been killed along with 597 Abu Sayyaf and Maute gunmen.

Forty-five civilians had also died, while more than 1,728 others were rescued from the battle zone.

On Saturday, heavy fighting broke out in the main battle area following a strong resistance from Maute and Abu Sayyaf fighters hiding in less than 400 buildings and structures, including mosques.

The military fired mortars and used their air assets to assault remaining militants led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute and Isnilon Hapilon, the acknowledged head of the Islamic State in Mindanao.

“We cannot give exact timeline as to when we can totally liberate the city, but we are hoping it will be over soon,” Petinglay said. –Jeoffrey Maitem