AFP: Marawi death toll reaches 578

On the 61st day of the prolonged crisis in Marawi City, the number of fatalities continues to rise.

Data sent by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Colonel Edgar Arevalo said a total of 578 people have died in the conflict.

Of the fatalities,  government troops account for 105. Only last Friday, the number of fatalities on the government side was at 99.

Meanwhile, as of July 21, a total of 428 members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group have been killed. A total of 526 firearms have been recovered by the military.

Arevalo also said the death toll of civilians has remained at 45 while the number of rescued civilians stood at 1,723.

Arevalo added that they have received P9,678,433.23 cash donations for the casualties and P803,315.21 for the internally displaced persons in Marawi.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared military rule in Mindanao after Maute group members attacked Marawi on May 23. A joint session of Congress is currently deliberating on the proposal to extend the imposition of martial law in the region. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News