MANILA — The Maute-ISIS Group terrorists’ capability to launch attacks and other atrocities has been greatly reduced by the military following the five-month battle in Marawi City.
This was the assessment given by Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista Tuesday.
He based his statement on the fact that the five-month fighting caused heavy damage to the Maute-ISIS Group’s leadership, armament, and fighting infrastructures.
“Kasi na-assess dun na yung threat situation yung enemy dun is talagang (Because it was assessed there in the threat situation that the enemy) was totally reduced, in terms of leadership, in terms of armament in terms of foreign support, ina-assess namin yung pinaka (We assessed the most) hardcore fighters na-neutralize dito sa (were neutralized here in the) Main Battle Area so with that, nakita namin na yung fragments ng mga (we saw the fragments of the) ISIS-influenced (terror organizations) are still recruiting kasi alam natin na (because we know), although yung (the) Maute-ISIS Group have been reduced in terms of strength and capability,” Bautista pointed out.
Also, the PA chief said that it would take the terrorists three to five years to conduct another Marawi-like strike due to their severe losses.
Over 1,000 Maute-ISIS Group terrorists were killed in the fighting including ISIS emir in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, and Omar Maute, of the founder of the terror organization.
While around 200 soldiers and civilians died in the fighting which started May 23, 2017 and ended on October of that year. (With reports from Ericka Cirera, OJT/PNA)
