Troops in Marawi fighting hard to meet Oct. 15 target, says officer

Government forces are trying their best to meet the military's self-imposed target of ending the atrocities in Marawi City on Sunday, October 15.

"Until now our troops are still assaulting the defensive positions of the Maute-ISIS and despite the fact that we have set today as a target day for finishing the armed conflict, our troops are still pushing hard, fighting hard to meet this target," said Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the Joint Task Group Ranao, in a press briefing.

"Hindi pa po tapos itong araw na 'to. This day, October 15, is not yet over. and as I've mentioned a while ago, our troops are fighting hard," Brawner said.

The military earlier said they had planned to get rid of the local terrorists in the main battle area by October 15.

Brawner had also said that there was no need for an extension of that deadline.

It was not the first time the soldiers gave themselves a deadline in solving the conflicts in the war-torn city. Last month, officials made September 30 as their deadline in freeing the city, despite the fact that they vowed in June not to set any more deadlines.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla last week stressed that there was no official deadline.

Top official wounded

According to Brawner, 162 government troops have been killed in the 20-week-long conflict while more than 1,700 troops have been wounded.

Brawner also mentioned that a top-ranking soldier was hit by a sniper during Saturday's firefight with the Maute group. He, however, did not identify the injured.

"Meron po tayong isang high-ranking official, a battalion commander who was wounded also in action, in yesterday's firefight. So makikita po natin dito na that even our commanders are really in the forefront, leading their men. Ganon po katindi ang labanan ngayon sa main battle area," Brawner said.

"We are trying our best... even our commanders are really very dedicated in our intent to finishing the day, accomplishing our mission," he added.

The military officer also said only two hectares of the main battle area was occupied by the local terrorists.

Brawner said there were around 40 members of the Maute group in the area.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law after the Maute group attacked Marawi City on May 23. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News