P800k cash, bodies of suspected terrorists retrieved from battle area — military

Another 27 corpses of suspected Maute members, cash, camera lens were among the items recovered from the main battle area in Marawi City, the military said in the report of GMA News' Bam Alegre on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho."

"Possibly, mga Maute fighters 'yung 27 na iyon kasi, dun sa last objective is, doon talaga nag-consolidate 'yung mga kalaban," Capt. Ramcel Dugan of the First Scout Ranger Battalion said.

He added that there were foreign fighters among the 27 bodies they retrieved during the clearing operations.

The military are going after "stragglers" believed to be prowling the main battle area.

Joint Task Force Ranao Deputy Commander Col. Romeo Brawner said the main task of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is to secure the city as rehabilitation efforts underway.

Brawner also said that Urban Planner Jun Palafox told him the rehabilitation work will take time because the buildings have to be demolished and rebuilt.

"Kami naman we are focusing on the security sector," he said.

"So ang AFP is supporting the effort of Task Force Bangon Marawi para doon sa rehabilitation ng buong Marawi City and Lanao del Sur...including the nearby provinces like Lanao del Norte. Dahil kailangan po sa development ay hindi lamang 'yung nasira pero idedevelop mo kasi 'yung mga support systems like highway papunta sa city, yung sea ports," Brawner added.

Meanwhile, Miralyn Powao, the wife of a missing Maute hostage, tearfully shared her sustained hopes that she would be reunited with her husband.

Powao, who is expected to give birth soon, last spoke to her husband in May. He was reportedly hiding in a house surrounded by the terrorists.

"Takot ako na baka hindi na makauwi 'yung asawa ko. Kawawa naman ''yung mga anak ko na (baka) hindi na nila makita ang ama nila," said Powao.

Last October, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the Marawi City free from the ISIS-inspired terrorist threat.

But government troops continue to conduct clearing operations in the city. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News