Marines clearing Marawi buildings kill 5 Maute group members

Five members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group were killed in a firefight with government forces on Tuesday morning in Marawi City.

Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag said the clash happened as the Marines were clearing a building in the main battle area in the war-torn city.

The report said the area where the building is located was a stronghold of the Maute group.

Troops were able to retrieve two bodies of the slain Maute group members before the terrorists torched the building.

The Marines recovered high-powered firearms, night vision goggles and an improvised explosive device.

More than 600 members of the Maute group have been killed in the ongoing conflict in Marawi City. At least 140 troops, meanwhile, have been killed in the clashes and 45 civilians were slain by the terrorists.

The military said the Maute group is still holding several civilian hostages, which is slowing down the clearing operations in the war-torn city.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao after local terrorists attack Marawi City on May 23.

On Monday, the military said some members of Maute group who expressed willingness to surrender were killed by their leaders.

Thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News