Marawi clearing ops 75% complete, AFP says

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said clearing operations in war-torn Marawi City is 75 percent complete after nearly five months since it has been liberated from pro-ISIS terrorists.

Military spokesperson Brigadier General Bienvenido Datuin said proper rehabilitation in Marawi will start by April after government forces would be able to finish the clearing operations of unexploded ordnance.

"Kailangan muna i-clear natin yung lugar kasi may unexploded ordnance, IED (improvised explosive device) that was used before so ang first phase ng rehabilitation is clearing of the main battle area which around 75 percent eh tapos na," Datuin said in an interview.

"So by April, in fact I will be going to Marawi also, or within this week. So what will happen is just to see as member of the Joint Task Force Bangon Marawi, titingnan na natin yung developments doon and I heard that by April the complete absolute rehabilitation proper will already start," he added.

Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Kristoffer James Purisima earlier said the government would have to spend P51.6 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi.

He said that the results of the post-conflict needs assessment in Marawi City and the towns of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur from August to December last year showed that damage and losses were pegged at P18.2 billion.

At least P10 billion has been allotted this year for the rehabilitation works subject to augmentation from other sources which may include development partners and the private sector.

Marawi has been declared liberated in October last year by President Rodrigo Duterte after government troops killed terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

More than 1,000 people, mostly terror fighters, died during the clashes. — RSJ, GMA News