Duterte leads destruction of seized Maute Group arms Wednesday

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOterte

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the destruction of around 400 weapons captured and recovered during the five-month battle to liberate Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group terrorists.

This will take place 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Philippine Army grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, PA spokesperson Lt.

Col. Ray Tiongson said.

The battle for Marawi City started when Maute Group terrorists staged multiple attacks following government efforts to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS Emir in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, and his cohorts last May 23.

Fighting was declared over October 23 after authorities confirmed the death of Hapilon and Maute Group co-founder, Omar Maute.

Captured weapons consist of heavy machineguns, sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and pistols.

He added the weapons would be crushed by a “pison” (road roller) and afterwards cut into smaller pieces by a “metal-bound circular saw”.

After the weapons are cut into tiny bits, Tiongson said the debris would be burned.

Initially, 652 firearms were scheduled for destruction but subsequent inspections and checks found out that 252 of these are too badly damaged, Tiongson stressed. (PNA)