AFP: Airstrikes still an option in Marawi despite 'friendly fire' deaths

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the deaths of 11 soldiers in an airstrike in Marawi City last Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will still use air attacks if necessary to defeat extremists holding out in the besieged city.

In a press conference on Monday, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the ground commander can still use aircraft in the clashes between the military and the Maute terror group.

“We have not pulled out this option from the cards that the ground commander has at hand. He may still call for an airstrike or for air support on specific targets he sees as a threat to his forces,” he said.

Officials have however grounded the SF-260, the type of aircraft that hit soldiers assaulting a militant-held position last Wednesday.

The Department of National Defense has already ordered an investigation into the incident.

“We are no longer using that type of aircraft for airstrikes at the moment, until the investigation has been done,” Padilla said.

According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the aircraft and personnel on the ground may have had a problem coordinating during the operation.

The military used to employ precision-guided munitions in earlier airstrikes in urban areas of Marawi. However, the SF-260 ran out of 'smart' munitions and had to use a conventional bomb, Lorenzana said.

The clashes began on May 23, when gunmen carrying ISIS-style black flags laid a siege across the city by burning buildings, destroying properties and attacking civilians. President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law in response to the siege.

At least 178 people have been killed in Marawi, which included militants, civilians, soldiers and policemen.