8 Marawi terrorists surrender, give intel

eyewitness accounts.

The number of civilian casualties remains at 19, although Padilla said there is an ongoing validation of reports of other civilian deaths.

The c asualties on t he government side, meanwhile, are now at 21.

Padilla also assured that no civilian died during the airstrikes by the military, emphasizing that the military is only using force “commensurate” to the resistance it faces.

Padilla also issued another appeal f or t he remaining terrorists to surrender, saying they have no other choice if they want to live.

“They are trapped. They are contained. They are in areas that they will never come out alive unless they surrender. And that’s why we are asking them and we are appealing to these armed men to come to their senses, lay down their weapons and surrender,” Padilla said.

“In this manner, we will be able to reduce the increasing cost of innocent lives as well as damage to property and at the same time further lessens the number of numerous crimes they have been committed,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week placed Mindanao under martial law after government troops clashed with the Maute group and its cohorts in Marawi City.

The clashes erupted as state forces were trying to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, considered one of the most wanted terrorists by the US. According to Padilla, Hapilon could still be in Marawi City.

Security experts say otherwise, saying that the government failed to detect terrorists’ movement.