17 more hostages rescued by troops in Marawi

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on Wednesday that 17 more people held as hostages by the Maute Group in Marawi City had been rescued.

Lorenzana said the hostages were nine males and nine females aged 18 to 75 years. They are

now in the hands of the military.

“Yes, it is true that 17 more hostages were rescued in Marawi – 9 males and 8 females ages ranging from 18 to 75. Details of the rescue are confidential because efforts to rescue the remaining hostages are ongoing,” Lorenzana said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force Marawi had earlier said that 45 to 50 civilians remain in the hands of the Maute Group that occupied the city starting last May 23, 2017.

Joint Task Force Ranao chief Col. Romeo Brawner said six Maute men have been added to the list of fatalities on the side of the enemy. “So this brings to 759 the total number of terrorists killed since the war started.”

There has not been a recent casualty on the side of the military, he added. The total number of government fighters killed remains at 155.

Colonel Brawner said that on Tuesday, government troops were able to enter an abandoned house used by the Mautes to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Brawner said during their search at the house in barangay Matampay which is outside the main battle area, troops were able to seize nine IEDs and other components.

On Wednesday, he said, members of the military, police and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) started Brigada Marawi to clean/clear the city of IEDs and other unexploded ordnance.

“While doing the clearing operation, we located the house used by the Maute to make IEDs. We were able to seize the IEDs and components,” he said.