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Civilian death toll in Marawi City rises to 30


More civilian deaths have been recorded amid the ongoing fight between the military and the Maute local terror group in Marawi City, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the number of civilians killed in Marawi has gone up to 30 as of 11 p.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, 1,271 civilians have been rescued from the city.

In a radio dzBB interview, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that the latest victim killed by the Maute group was a 70-year-old resident. He said the old man was killed by a sniper on Saturday.

Abella said the number of deaths from both the side of Maute and the government remain at 120 and 38, respectively.

He added that they are still “awaiting for consolidated reports” before giving an update on troops wounded in action.

Abella also said the current focus of operations remains the “clearing of militants” in the city, as well as the “continued rescue of trapped residents” and recovery of casualties.

Operations are also conducted to assist the local government and civil society organizations with the ongoing relief operations, he added.

The conflict in Marawi City started with the Maute group's attack on May 23. Authorities said the attack was a reaction to the authorities' attempt to serve a warrant of arrest on Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

The attack prompted President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News

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