ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Restituto Padilla said Sunday that the Maute bandits might have been lurking at a baranggay in Marawi City where an encounter ensued Friday that resulted in the killing of 13 marine soldiers.
"Itong pinagpupugaran na hinaharap ng ating mga marino ay pinaniniwalaan natin na pinagpupugaran ng mga foreign fighters," he said.
Padilla said the main goal of the marines who conducted operations in barangay Lilod Madaya was to rescue the civilian hostages of the rebels.
"Sila (marines) ay napunta sa sektor na mukhang napasukan ng napakatinding depensa dahil po sa kinaroroonan na maaari ng mga hostages," Padilla said.
13 marines were killed and at least 40 others were injured in a 16-hour gunfight between the government troops and Maute rebels in baranggay Lilod Madaya in last Friday.
The military said the group who occupied the said city is moving from one place to another along with their hostages to distract the focus of the government operations.
The AFP also expressed belief that the group have already been in position even before the operations against them were launched by the military.
However, Padilla said there will be less use of airstrikes in the coming days and that the military will focus more in conducting ground assaults, taking in consideration the safety of the hostages.
"Gagawin pa rin po natin iyan (airstrike) kung kinakailangan, pero iniiwasan po namin dahil malapitan na po ang labanan," he said.
Padilla said the government’s plan to raise the Philippine flag in Marawi City on Monday for the celebration of the Independence Day will push through at the provincial capitol of Lanao Del Sur despite the ongoing crisis. (SunStar Philippines)