165 gov’t forces killed in Marawi all accounted for, 1 Marine still missing

More than a hundred government security forces that were killed in the clashes in Marawi City have been all accounted for, but a member of the Philippine Marines is still missing in action.

According to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita by Jun Veneracion on Tuesday, the 154 days of firefight in Marawi City which is deemed to be one of the bloodiest warfare in the country had led to over a thousand deaths from both sides of the government forces and militants.

A total of 165 cops and soldiers from the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police died. Meanwhile, 920 members of the pro-ISIS Maute group were killed.

Delfin Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday declared an end to the battle in Marawi. He had also announced the termination of combat operations as there were "no more militants" left in the city.

On the last day of clashes on Monday, at least 42 bodies of rebels were in two buildings and a mosque in the battle zone according to AFP chief General Eduardo Año.

Despite the termination of combat operations, government forces are still checking the area for possible stragglers.

President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 declared the liberation of Marawi City after the deaths of terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News