Maute Group terrorists likely using captured police, jail weapons

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla. (PCOO photo)

MANILA—It is very likely that remaining Maute Group terrorists are augmenting their weapons and ammunition from the stocks they captured after overrunning various police and jail facilities in Marawi City last May 23.

This was bared by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in an interview Wednesday.

“They previously burned the jail, freed prisoners and got what they can use including weapons and ammunition to include those in the captured APC (armored personnel carrier) of the Philippine National Police,” he added.

Number of firearms recovered after nine days of fighting are now placed at 91 with 81 high-powered and 10 low-powered.

Padilla said that application of commensurate military power on existing threats and pockets of resistance will continue along with efforts on collaboration/coordination with concerned agencies to ascertain status of victims and hostages and initiate relevant action to rescue and save them.