800 MARAWI BUILDINGS HAVE YET TO BE CLEARED

A military official said that over 800 buildings in Marawi, including those in the business district, have yet to be cleared of Maute terrorists.

As of Wednesday, some 54 buildings have been cleared, said Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson of the Joint Task Force Marawi.

“Ang ginagawa po natin ngayon dito ay nagpapatuloy pa rin ang ating combat clearing operations upang tapusin na po ito at dahil marami pa ring mga portions sa main area na ngayon ay ginagawang defensive position,” he said.

As fighting between the Maute Group terrorists and military reached its 51st day, authorities said 389 lawless elements have been reported killed.

The death toll also included 90 government troops and 39 civilians as of 6 p.m. July 11, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.

Arevalo said government troops have recovered 494 weapons.

Fighting broke out in Marawi City on May 23, after government troops tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. The crisis prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao for 60 days until July 22.

Herrera said the Maute Group is down to around 80 men from over 300 at the start of the siege.

Airstrikes against Maute positions have continued as well as patrols in the vicinity of Lake Lanao, which could serve as an exit route for the terrorists.

“Itong si Abdullah Maute na ngayon ay siya po ang nauuna dito sa main conflict area ito ay namomonitor na nandito pa siya. Si Isnilon Hapilon hindi siya masyado naririnig most likely may mga balita na siya’y nakaalis na pero ito ay kino-confirm pa. Marami po kasing lumalabas na misinformation at ito po ay tuloy tuloy nating mino-monitor,” he said.