Philippines mistakenly bombs, killing two soldiers

The bomb fell nearly 250 meters from the target, killing at least two Philippine army soldiers and injuring 11 others.

Smoke rises after an airstrike by the Philippine Air Force in Marawi - Photo: Reuters

The incident occurred during an airstrike by the Philippine military targeting positions of pro-Islamic State (IS) militants in Marawi City at noon on July 12. This is the second mistaken bombing by the Philippine Air Force in over a month.

The previous incident happened at the end of May, also in Marawi, killing 11 soldiers.

"Initial information shows that the bomb fell about 250 meters from the target. The explosion caused nearby buildings to collapse, and debris then hit two soldiers," Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, a spokesman for the Philippine military, confirmed to Reuters.

"We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. We will support the families of the dead and injured soldiers. An initial military investigation team has been set up to investigate the cause of the mistake and prevent it from happening again," Herrera added.

It is still unclear what type of aircraft was used and the bomb missed its target. The Philippine Air Force has mobilized all available aircraft for the battle in Marawi. In the incident in late May, the pilot was flying a 1970s-era SF-260 light attack aircraft.

The most modern are the FA-50 light attack and trainer aircraft newly purchased from South Korea. Older are the OV-10 attack and reconnaissance aircraft transferred from the US.

It has been more than a month (May 23) since fighting broke out in Marawi. More than 500 people have been killed, including 389 pro-IS rebels, according to a statement from the Philippine military. The fighting in Marawi has displaced more than 260,000 people, Reuters reported.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on July 11 that he only needs 15 more days to end the war in Marawi.

According to TTO