MANILA -- While the remaining Maute Group terrorists have expressed their willingness to fight to death, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public that those who will be captured in the ongoing clearing operations will be treated humanely.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo gave this assurance as military units in the area could obtain a lot of critical battlefield information which could hasten the clearing of areas in Marawi City still being held by the lawless elements.
"They (Maute terrorists) are on the losing end (so) we encourage them to give up. We are giving them this assurance that they will be treated humanely but of course they would really have to face the consequences of their actions," he said.
As of this posting, Maute-held areas in Marawi City are confined to eight to nine hectares with an estimated 50 bandits manning the defense position.
Number of hostages are still at 43 with 749 Maute Group terrorists slain in the ongoing operations.
Government losses are still 155 soldiers and police officers while captured weapons are at 795. (PNA)
