Muslim clerics to issue fatwa to condemn rebellion in Marawi

Muslim clerics in Marawi Sultanate are set to issue a fatwa to condemn the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City led by the ISIS-inspired Maute group, GMA News' Chino Gaston reported on State of the Nation With Jessica Soho on Monday.

Aside from the fatwa, local executives are set to issue a resolution condemning extremism, the report added.

The military, meanwhile, welcomed the looming issuance of fatwa and resolution.

"We are looking forward to seeing those within the week and we see this as a very positive step towards inoculating Marawi and building it back better," said Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr., spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The attack on Marawi City by the Maute group on May 23 has triggered the declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao.

Fighting in Marawi City has been ongoing for almost three months, with the military saying some 20 to 40 Maute terrorists are still holed up in the city as of August 14.

As of 7 p.m. on August 13, the number of Maute fighters killed since their May 23 attack were at 562 with 619 firearms recovered.

Meanwhile, 11 improvised explosive devices have been recovered, 38 buildings cleared and 1,728 civilians rescued as the government troops work to rid Marawi of the ISIS-inspired terrorists.

However, 45 civilians and 128 soldiers and policemen had been killed since Maute tried to take over Marawi. —KBK, GMA News