A policeman informed the press during an interview that during the clearing ops, the police forces assigned in clearing the area have met 10-year old young warriors armed with M-16 baby armalite rifles.
"Kabataan lang ang pumuwesto diyan ah. Mula 10 years old hanggang 16," the policeman said. He added that it is unbelievable that a ten year old was carrying a baby M-16.
He also associated the young warriors of Maute Group in ‘ambuscades.’
There were also reports that there were numerous snipers from Maute Group that the government troops have encountered during clearing operations conducted by the elite forces.
According to GMA News, Amed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said troops are trying to have no "collateral damage" as the Maute group members have been hiding in establishments and using the hostages to be their human shield. Maute Group also stayed in Marawi City, and the AFP cannot engage into a surgical airstrike as much as the hostages are in the hands of the terrorists.
“We desire to free Marawi City of these evil forces and make way for a peaceful Ramadan for our citizens there who have supported our efforts. We appeal for everyones understanding as we take the necessary steps to accomplish our mission and prevent the lost of more innocent lives and damage to private and public property," Brig. Gen. Padilla added.
The administration also requests the public’s vigilance and full cooperation to the government.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also added "Government troops proceed with their sustained precision operations in pursuit of the Maute group who have embedded themselves among innocent citizens. We call on our patriotic civilians to remain vigilant and cooperate with the military."
According to Atty. Laisa Alamia, executive secretary to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) told in a radio interview in the same news agency the 90% of the residents of Marawi has been evacuated and there are 1000 more civilians to be rescued.
Source: GMA News
