“On behalf of the President, we wish to express our deepest condolences
to the families of the two soldiers who were killed in yesterday’s air strike
accident while fighting Maute rebel remnants,” Presidential Spokesperson
Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
He said the Palace is saddened by the unfortunate incident and a team
has been created to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
“These fallen men in uniform laid down their lives for duty, flag and
country. Government will remember their heroism and will provide the necessary
assistance to their bereaved families,” Abella said.
Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the two soldiers
were killed after an ordnance missed its target during an airstrike in Marawi
City around noon Wednesday.
According to Col. Edgar Arevalo, chief of AFP Public Affairs Office,
the bomb was 250 meters off target.
The type of aircraft involved in the incident was not identified.
“The impact of the explosion caused the collapse of nearby structures.
Large debris from heavily reinforced buildings accidentally hit two of our
personnel who succumbed to death in the process,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, 11 others sustained minor shrapnel wounds and are
recuperating in a nearby hospital.
Arevalo said the military has already launched an investigation into
the incident.
Wednesday’s incident was the second time that state security forces
have been killed by “friendly fire.”
On June 1, 10 soldiers were killed while seven others were injured when
a wayward bomb from a Marchetti SF-260 trainer jet missed its target by 100 meters.
The two incidents occurred as the military ramped up airstrikes in the
operation to dislodge the remaining Islamist militants holed out in their last
strongholds in Marawi City. (Cielito M. Reganit/PNA)
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