17 rescued Marawi hostages about to be beheaded —AFP chief

Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año on Sunday said the 17 civilians rescued in Marawi City last week were about to be beheaded by the Maute group.

"Tamang tama iyong timing ng pagka-rescue natin dito kasi they were about to be beheaded," Año said in an interview.

He said efforts to rescue the remaining hostages continue as troops are determined to end the crisis in Marawi City before the end of the month.

He said troops are "reestablishing" communications with the remaining civilians within the battle zone.

Last week, he said the troops came very close to the remaining civilians held captive within the battle zone.

"When the troops were about to rescue the remaining hostages, biglang nawala yung white flag so that means nag-reposition yung kalaban... Ibig sabihin nun they came came very near to the hostages

He did not say if the incident happened on the same day that the 17 hostages were rescued.

The 17 civilians, including nine males and eight females with ages ranging from 18 to 75, were rescued on Wednesday.

Año said that there are at least 40 civilians still being held captive by the Maute group within the battle zone.

The military said Friday that at least 1,750 civilians have been rescued from the battle zone and 47 others have been confirmed killed.

The number of Maute group members killed since the conflict started on May 23 was 759 while the number of troops killed was 156. —ALG, GMA News