17 Marawi civilians killed 'execution style' –SOCO findings

The 17 civilians found dead in Marawi City were shot from behind "execution style" by members of the Maute group, a military official said Thursday, citing findings by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).

"Batay sa initial report na binigay po ng SOCO, lahat po ito ay na-execute o binaril at ang pawang pagkakapatay sa kanila ay binaril sa likuran, sa may uluhan, at execution style," said Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr.

Five of the 17 were beheaded, Padilla said.

The discovery of the bodies brought the number of civilians killed in the month-long armed conflict in Marawi City to 44.

"Lima 'dun ay sinasabing naputulan po ng ulo, ay 'yan po ay naging bahagi na rin report ngayong umaga na binigay sa atin," Padilla said. "So ang numero na ating binibigay sa ating talaan bilang namatay na civilian ay halos dumoble na po sa 44."

The bodies were recovered during retrieval operations of government troops, together with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and civilian volunteers, in Barangay Gadungan at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

Padilla said the military is doing everything to hasten the resolution of the conflict that started on May 23.

"We are doing everything to hasten it," he said.

He also welcomed the arrival of P370 million worth of firearms given by China to the Philippine military as a form of assistance.

"'Yung karamihan diyan ay assault rifle na puwede nating ipamahagi sa ating mga tropa na nasa bakbakan," Padilla said, adding the firearms are likely to be used in Marawi City. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News