Westmincom: No collateral damage in airstrikes vs Maute, BIFF
May 18, 2017 | 6:56am
The Western Mindanao Command said airstrikes were planned carefully to avoid collateral damage. KAI/screenshot
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — No collateral damage was recorded in airstrikes against terrorist lairs in the southern Philippines, a senior military official said.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said around 88 members of the Maute group have been killed in precision attacks by Air Force FA-50s in coordination with forces on the ground.
The airstrikes were delivered against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-inspired Maute Group in Piagapo, Lanao del Norte. The group's numbers had dwindled to 36, four of whom are foreign jihadists, as of April.
The airstrikes also helped ground forces of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) under Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista capture a camp that served as a refuge for militants from Malaysia and Indonesia.
At least 32 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), another ISIS-inspired group under Commander Bongos, were killed in operations targeting its lairs in the vicinity of Datu Piang, Guindulungan and Talayan towns in Maguindanao.
An airstrike by FA-50 jets hit an Abu Sayyaf group lair in Barangay Sumisip, Basilan last Thursday, killing 20 Abu Sayyaf members under sub-leader Furuji Indama.
Galvez said the airstrikes were planned carefully and preparations were made to ensure civilians would not be in danger.
“The order was specific, there should be no collateral damage, especially when using lethal weapons,” Galvez said.
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