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By APD Writer Melo M. Acuna
MANILA, July 13 (APD) – Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has began reviewing and recalibrating its existing doctrines for the troops “to adapt and respond” to what he described as evolving type of war.
Secretary Lorenza, in a statement late this afternoon said he is saddened by the loss of lives of two soldiers and the wounding of ten others on an airstrike accident yesterday.
This was the second airstrike which caused deaths and injuries to soldiers operating in Marawi City after the Maute Group assisted by the Western Mindanao-based Abu Sayyaf launched their attack last May 23.
“What happened yesterday and last month, when several of our marines inadvertently perished because of wayward ordnance dropped from an aircraft, reflect the harsh nature of urban warfare where soldiers operate in tight spaces and in close proximity to the enemy,” Secretary Lorenzana said.
He added the problems faced by Filipino troops “are the same as those confronted by other nations fighting terrorists in places like Mosul, Fallujah and Raqqa.”
He admitted the retaking of the few remaining positions held by the Maute-ISIS still in Marawi City is “proving to be a challenge.”
He added that they have to operate with due consideration for the safety of civilians still trapped in the area against enemies “who know no rules, who use hostages as human shields and children as frontline fighters.”
Secretary Lorenzana said their resolve to end the situation has not wavered as they are “more determined than ever to finally eliminate there terrorists, not only in Marawi City, but also in the whole of Mindanao.”
He likewise called on the citizenry to trust the soldiers and police and support the struggle against what he describes as “forces of evil.”
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
