Marawi remains highly dangerous, according to 1st Infantry Division Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera.
Herrera said their priority is to end the conflict in Marawi City as soon as possible.
“Right now, we are doing our best to finish the job as soon as possible, because we intend also to help Marawi to normalize, and let the people go back to their own places. But for now we intend to appeal to the people of Marawi to understand what is happening, because as you mentioned, there are still stray bullets coming from the main battle area, and we intend also to ensure that the houses, the buildings are cleared from IED (improvised explosive devices) and other war materials that may inflict pain and casualty to the people,” Herrera in a statement said.
Data released by the Office of the President on Monday, July 17 showed that the government forces cleared 17 houses on Sunday (July 16).
Herrera echoed the progress the government has made against the terrorist group Maute.
“We are continuously pushing toward to the center of the gravity of the enemy, and we are gaining more grounds, gaining areas; those buildings that were previously occupied by the Maute are now occupied by the government forces. We have controlled vantage positions, and it’s a matter of time that we will be able to neutralize the remaining local terrorist group, to secure and save the trapped civilians, and of course, be able to push forward for the rehabilitation and the construction program for Marawi City,”
The southern city has been in a state of crisis since the anti-terror battle broke out on May 23.
The Philippine government has so far killed 405 terrorists and saved 1,723 civilians.
The conflict, however, has cost 97 lives of the government forces, and 45 civilians have been killed by terrorists, according to the latest official data. (Reuters/CCTV news)
