27 civilians killed in Marawi City laid to rest

Twenty-seven civilians killed in the ongoing conflict in Marawi City were laid to rest in a Muslim cemetery on Monday morning.

The bodies of the slain civilians were buried at the Maqbara Muslim Cemetery in Barangay Papandayan Caniogan.

Authorities said the victims remained unclaimed by their relatives since the start of the conflict in the city last May 23.

The bodies were kept at the Capin Funeral Homes, along with two other cadavers that belonged to two Christians, authorities said.

Authorities took DNA samples from the victims' bodies before the burial, which will be matched with future claimants.

The mass burial was attended by local officials.

The military has counted a total of 45 civilians killed in the ongoing conflict.

Authorities believe that the Maute group is still holding at least 100 civilians hostage in downtown Marawi, which is still being recovered by government forces from the militants.

A total of 1,723 civilians trapped in the city have been rescued by government forces.

Meanwhile, the military said a total of 105 soldiers and policemen and 428 Maute group members have been killed in the ongoing conflict.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared a 60-day martial law in Mindanao following the Maute group's attack in the city last May 23.

The martial law's implementation has been extended by Congress to Dec. 31, 2017 as government forces continue to clear the city of the militants. —Rafeea Custodio/ALG, GMA News