Troops use grenade launcher to take Maute positions

Government troops continued to engage members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City, taking key positions.

A "24 Oras" report by Marisol Abdurahman on Friday showed how government troops used a grenade launcher on opponents at the frontlines.

Airstrikes on enemy positions also continued.

"Mapandi bridge... this was the former stronghold of the enemy and now forces have taken that location," said Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman of the Joint Task Force Marawi.

"Structures na ang nakiki-clear despite the overwhelming presence of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), fuel bombs and other war materials inside the main battle area," he added.

Six more members of the Maute group on Thursday were added to the death toll of local terrorists following the ongoing clashes.

More than 400 Maute group members have been killed while more than 500 firearms have been recovered by the military.

Ninety-nine government troops have been killed during the hostilities, which began on May 23. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News