MANILA -- The number of slain Maute Group terrorists in the ongoing military operations in Marawi City has now climbed to 736, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said on Friday.
He said this includes the 21 remains or cadavers recovered during Thursday's operations.
Government losses are now placed at 153 troops. Civilians executed or killed by the terrorists is still at 47 while rescued Marawi City residents are at 1,733.
Recovered weapons numbered at 789, including 82 recovered Thursday.
Fighting in Marawi City broke out after a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader IsnilonHapilon last May 23.
Earlier, Defense Secretary DelfinLorenzana said that lives of surrendering Maute Group terrorists will be spared provided they surrender peacefully.
He made this statement after Lanao Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Mauyag Papandayan told him that some of the surviving terrorists have expressed willingness to surrender.
"I told him no problem. In fact, Western Mindanao Command troops are going around with bullhorns daily in Marawi City (urging them to surrender). If they want to surrender, then they must come out with their hands up and our soldiers will not kill them, our troops don't kill surrendering people," he said.
Once these terrorists surrender, the DND chief said it is up to the courts to determine what kind of charges and sanctions would be meted against them. (PNA)
