Maute straggler killed in fresh firefight in Marawi

A Maute straggler was killed in a firefight Tuesday morning with government troops at the main battle area in Marawi City.

Army Colonel Romeo Brawner, Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander, confirmed the fatality in a text message to GMA News Onlline.

The firefight happened around 6 a.m.

In an interview on SuperRadyo dzBB, Brawner said the straggler seemed wanting to escape but he was spotted by the soldiers.

“May isang straggler na mukhang gustong tumakas from the main battle area pero nakita po siya ng tropa at nagkaroon ng bakbakan kaninang umaga at napatay po ito,” he said.

He added another straggler who wanted to enter the main battle area was killed by government troops the other day.

“Nung isang araw, may dalawang taong gustong pumasok sa main battle area, alas-3 ng madaling araw. Ganundin napatay ‘yung isa,” he said.

He said they have deployed additional personnel in the area to help in the ongoing clearing operations.

“Nagdagdag ulit tayo ng tropa sa loob ng main battle area…sa ngayon ay itinutuloy  ang clearing operations dahil baka may kasama pa siya,” he said.

Asked how many stragglers were still present, Brawner said they cannot give an exact estimate yet but it is no longer a significant number.

“Hindi na sila makakatakas dahil pinalibutan natin ang main battle area at ‘di tayo nagpapapasok at nagpapalabas,” he said.

He added they are in the process of clearing the area not only of stragglers but also of improvised explosive device and unexploded ordnance.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines terminated its combat operations in the area last October 23 after President Rodrigo Duterte announced the liberation of Marawi on October 17.

Maute siege leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by the military in an operation on October 16.

Latest data showed that a total of 47 civilians, 165 soldiers and police officers, and 920 Maute members have been killed in the firefight in Marawi City since May 23. — RSJ, GMA News