Number of Maute casualties climbs to 405

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday that the number of ISIS-inspired Maute Group members killed in the continuing battle in Marawi City has already reached 405.

In a statement, AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Colonel Edgar Arevalo, said from 399 fatalities on Saturday, an additional six Maute fighters were slain by government troops in Day 55 of the conflict.

The latest tally of enemies killed, according to Arevalo, was as of 7 p.m. Saturday.

He added that a total of 503 firearms have so far been recovered by soldiers battling the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the number of government forces killed is now 95 after two more soldiers were added on the list of fatalities.

The number of civilians killed by terrorists remain at 45.

"The clearing of the portions the last remaining four barangays still ongoing," Arevalo said.

The AFP continues its preparation of the report on the progress of the operations and the assessment as to its stage prior accomplishment of the mission," he added.

Meanwhile, First Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, disclosed that more or less 500 buildings have yet to be cleared by government troops.

In an interview, Herrera also said that based on information coming from the ground, the number of Maute Group members still holed up in Marawi City is between 60 to 70 fighters.

"Siguro (Maybe) more or less 500 (there are only 500). About 500 to 550. It depends on the presence of IED, fuel bomb, molotov which are rig inside the houses because that's one way of delaying the movement of troops towards the center of the gravity," Herrera said

"So that's the technique and of course the presence of trapped civilians which we really give focus. The protection and security of those still there, hopefully we can save this in the future and soon as possible," he added.

Herrera also refused to disclose how many buildings were still being occupied by the Maute Group, saying that it was already an operation matter.

But Herrera did reveal, over the last 48 hours, government troops have already secured an additional 60 buildings previously occupied by the Maute Group.

"So paliit ng paliit yung area nila. So lumalaki yung area ng covered natin, and continuous naman yung integration ng capabilities (Their area is now getting smaller. The area we have covered is getting bigger, and continue to integrate our capabilities)," Herrera said.

"The support of our communities is also good, so we are gaining more grounds and we are committed and focused to finish the job as soon as possible," he said.