Maute group willing to negotiate Marawi exit with MILF

Maute group gunmen had told Maranao religious leaders that they were willing to leave Marawi City, but only if they could negotiate their exit with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

A report on  GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Tuesday night said the religious emissaries spoke with Maute group commanders Abdullah and Madie Maute during last Sunday's Eid'l Fitr truce.

During the discussions, the emissaries attempted to negotiate an end to the fighting, and asked for the release of the Maute group's hostages.

During the eight-hour ceasefire, the rescue teams led by the religious emissaries were able to rescue six people and recover one cadaver.

MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, meanwhile, said that they could participate in the discussion "[i]n the context of humanitarianism".

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella reiterated that that there would be no deals with the Maute group gunmen holed up in Marawi City because that is against government policy, and anyone trying to bargain had no authority to do so.

Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also said that the government will not negotiate with terrorists. He was reacting to reports that Abdullah was offering to release abducted Catholic priest Chito Suganob in exchange for his parents, Cayamora and Ominta Maute, who are both detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig  City.

In a speech last June 4, President Rodrigo Duterte firmly said that he would not negotiate with the Maute group.

"I was asked if I could negotiate. I tell you now, patayin na ninyo lahat ng hawak ninyo. 'Di ako makikipag-usap sa inyo," he told a crowd composed of members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Cebu.

There are reports that aside from Suganob, the Maute group is holding at least 100 people hostage.

The military said at least 100 Maute group members are still holed up in four villages in Marawi City, which the militant group attacked on May 23.

The attack prompted Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

At least 380 people, mostly militants, have been killed in the ongoing conflict. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM/ALG, GMA News