By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – As the conflict in Marawi city entered its 67th day Friday, the combat zone between government forces and the Daesh-linked Maute group covered just two villages, and an estimated 60 militants remain holed up in the battlefield, according to military statements.
“Our troops are in a very high state of morale, all leaning forward to finish this operation in the soonest time possible,” military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla told a news conference at the presidential office Friday.
Padilla said that the clashes in Marawi are limited to less than a square kilometer of the city, with continuous efforts to clear buildings previously held by the militants.
“Despite the number of casualties and wounded that we have had in the past few weeks, this is not deterring the troops or our ground commanders from pursuing the mission and accomplishing the much-needed liberation of Marawi,” Padilla added.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the southern Philippines’ island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 following an attack by the Maute group in Marawi, which to date has seen 471 terrorists, 114 government troops, and 45 civilians killed.
Despite the troops’ advances, the government has yet to give the green light for the return of the over 400,000 people displaced by the siege due to the presence of terrorist snipers and booby traps hidden in the area.
After missing several self-imposed deadlines to completely retake the city, the military stopped setting target dates, saying the safety of the hostages held by the terrorists — estimated to number 300 — is their utmost priority.
In a recent statement, Duterte instructed the military to avoid more civilian casualties.
“I told them, ‘Do not attack.’ What’s important is we do not want to kill people,” said Duterte. “If we have to wait there for one year, let us wait for one year.”
