Lorenzana: We underestimated size, readiness of Maute in Marawi

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday admitted that the government forces had underestimated the strength of the Islamic State-linked Maute group.

In a press briefing, Lorenzana said that when he first heard about the terrorists attacking Marawi City on May 23, he thought it would be taken care of in a few days.

"Na-underestimate namin...In fact when I was in Moscow, yung narinig ko yan, sabi ko tatlong araw tapos na ito," Lorenzana said.

"It turned out that we underestimated their resolve to also stay there and fight it out," he added.

He said that they initially estimated the Maute-led group to have 200 to 250 members.

Even after being in the strife-torn city for two to three weeks, Lorenzana thought there were only 400 to 500 terrorists.

However, a barangay captain corrected him and said the terrorists' numbers were nearly at 700.

"It turned out it was more," Lorenzana said.

"Ganun pala kalaki yung kalaban diyan," he added.

As of June 29, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that the number of civilians killed by the terrorists had reached 44, while 1713 were rescued by troops.

The number of terrorists killed in the clashes is now at 303, while the casualties on the government side is at 82.

He said that the Maute group was able to stockpile firearms, ammunition, and food.They are well-equipped to still be fighting the military up to now.

"That's why they're still there, more than one month na already, malapit na maging two months ito eh. Ibig sabihin...nakapag-imbak ng mga bala, baril, pati pagkain siguro, mga explosives," Lorenzana said.

"That's why they are fighting up to now and they are inflicting casualties on our soldiers," he added. —Jessica Bartolome/NB/KVD, GMA News