Pinpoint ops being conducted vs Maute brigands

In the same vein, Arevalo also urged the public to be more patient with the ongoing efforts to crush the lawless band. (Photo by Richard Madelo/Presidential Photo)

MANILA— In a bid to eradicate the remaining Maute Group defenses in Marawi City, military units are conducting more focused operations against the terrorists enclaves.

This was emphasized Monday by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo who said that the remaining lawless elements are now pocketed in an area measuring eight to nine hectares.

“The (remaining Maute Group enclaves) are still located in highly-urbanized areas, there are still a lot of structures and tall buildings there, the same kind of density we encountered during our earlier operations. But the good part here is our forces are conducting more intense and focused operations to neutralize them,” he added in Filipino.

In the same vein, Arevalo also urged the public to be more patient with the ongoing efforts to crush the lawless band.

“Right now, the information is (clearing) operations in Marawi City are still ongoing. We are appealing to the public for more patience as fighting in the city as a lot of challenges need to be hurdled to totally liberate Marawi City,” he added.

Challenges include clearing and disarming of unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices laid in roadways, alleyways and buildings used by the terrorists as hold-outs during their series of attacks in Marawi City last May 23.