50 more Marawi buildings cleared of Maute terrorists –AFP chief

Government troops were able to clear over the weekend another 50 buildings in Marawi City earlier occupied by the pro-ISIS Maute terror group, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said Monday.

Año believes it is only a matter of time before government security forces could retake the whole of Marawi.

"Slowly kumokonti na lang yung building na hawak nila, we are able to secure one tall building yesterday. Malaking factor 'yun so we'll have one final push to really break their line and finally clear the whole area of Marawi," he said.

Two soldiers were killed over the weekend, bringing the number of government fatalities to 97 since the conflict started on May 23. On the other hand, 411 Maute bandits and 45 civilians were also killed as of 7 p.m. on July 16.

One soldier has been reported missing in action while 852 others have been wounded, government data showed.

Año said the troops are carefully checking all of the buildings.

"Less than one square kilometer 'yung area na pinaglalabanan natin but we cannot neglect or bypass any building," he said. "It's fatal and dangerous to our soldiers and to the trapped civilians."

No deadline

Año refused to give a deadline on when the conflict, which started on May 23, will end, saying it will just  put undue pressure to their men.

"Hindi tayo specific sa timeline kasi unang-una kapag naglagay tayo ng timeline, tini-take advantage ng kalaban 'yun tapos napi-pressure yung tropa natin. Unnecessarily tumataas din yung casualty namin," he said.

Asked if Marawi could be cleared before the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte, Año reiterated that he does not want to set a timeline.

"I cannot, no, I do not see the SONA as the deadline or timeline.  Sabi ko nga we will do it the military way, in accordance to our doctrines," he said. —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News