AFP: TROOPS CLOSING IN ON MAUTE REMNANTS

The military said it is closing in on the remnants of the Maute Group as fighting enters its sixth week.

“Right now the terrorist group is feeling the might of the Armed Forces and (the AFP) is closing in on their (remaining) positions,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

With the shrinking of the Maute group’s defensive perimeter, Arevalo said they have been receiving reports that there is now conflict among the members and the leadership of the lawless elements over diminishing finances and waning logistical support.

The death toll from the Marawi crisis has climbed to 387 as of 7 p.m. Sunday, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. The fatalities included 27 civilians, 290 Jihadist fighters and 70 government troops.

Abella said that among the latest deaths was a civilian whose remains were recovered when the military observed an eighthour “humanitarian pause” against the Maute terror group in Marawi City on Sunday in defer- ence to the Eid’l Fitr celebration of the Muslim community.

He said at least 1,702 civilians were rescued, including a 79-year-old senior citizen.

“The humanitarian pause was generally peaceful. And as a result, six civilians and one body of a civilian victim killed by the Maute group were recovered from inside Marawi,” Abella said in a statement read over state-run dzRB.

DONATION. Filipino Muslims donate cash for those displaced in the continuing siege of Marawi City as they attend the early morning prayers as part of Eid al-Fitr to celebrate the end of Ramadan.