MANILA — The number of Maute group terrorists in the ongoing clearing operations in Marawi City has now climbed to 749.
According to Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander Col. Romeo Brawner, figures are as of 6 a.m. Saturday showed an increase of 13 from Friday’s data.
Civilians killed and executed by the lawless elements are still at 47 while rescued residents are at 1,733.
Recovered firearms are now at 714 while number of slain government troops are now at 155 or two higher than Friday’s figures.
“Government forces will fight harder to accomplish the following the soonest possible time so that the rehabilitation of Marawi can continue unhampered: Rescue the remaining hostages, neutralize the Maute-ISIS terrorists and regain control of the whole Marawi City,” Brawner said.
Fighting in Marawi City broke out after a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon last May 23.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said lives of surrendering Maute terrorists will be spared provided they surrender peacefully.