‘Parang laru-laro lang’: Video shows ‘aggressive’ teen Maute fighters

Almost all the Maute fighters in Marawi City's main battle area now are teenage boys, the military said Wednesday.

A video taken from a slain member of the terror group showed the young fighters laughing and hooting as they ran for cover.

"According sa revelations ng mga hostages, sila pa 'yung matatapang, 'yung mga bata. Kita naman doon sa video na talagang aggressive sila tapos parang sa kanila laru-laro lang," Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Group Ranao, told Emil Sumangil in a report for "24 Oras."

The report also said troops are conducting operations in the area called "lumber."

"When we conducted the airstrike, there is suspicion that they are located in the cluster of the buildings...The construction of the building is uneven, mostly three-storey buildings siya," said Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr.

The report added that the military has been preparing for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

The local government has suggested preserving what they call "Marawi Ruins" and developing other properties.

"Kailangan namin siyempre ang tulong ng national government and mga foreign donors natin na gawin namin na old Marawi... gusto naming gandahan," said Mamintal Adiong, vice governor of Lanao del Sur. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News