Government troops head to the frontline as fighting with Muslim militants in Marawi city enters its second week, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in the southern Philippines. Philippine forces pressed their offensive to drive out militants linked to the Islamic State group after days of fighting left corpses in the streets and hundreds of civilians begging for rescue from a besieged southern city of Marawi. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
(Updated) The military on Tuesday called on the remaining terrorists holed up in Marawi City to yield while there is still time.
“We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity,” Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
“For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death,” he added.
The government has set a June 1 deadline to flush out the remaining terrorists in the besieged city.
“We aired this message in the hope of ending this soon and reducing any more loss of lives and property….We will come out victorious! We stand by the people of Marawi whose interests and safety we are protecting,” Padilla also said.
He also said that the military will continue with its “precise” air assaults, adding these are “judiciously used to prevent collateral damage and employed at specific targets of resistance to protect our troops and hasten clearing of the city of terrorist elements who continue to resist.”
The military said it is focusing on clearing Marawi of militants, rescuing trapped residents, and recovering civilian casualties.
Government forces have so far rescued 560 civilians.
At least 19 civilians and 20 government forces (17 from AFP, 3 from Philippine National Police) have been killed since the fighting began.
The military has so far killed 65 militants, with 42 body counts. Foreign fighters were also reportedly included in the casualties.
At least 90,000 people were said to be displaced as the gunbattle continued on its eighth day. JE/rga
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