In this June 9, 2017, photo, soldiers prepare for deployment on the outskirts of Marawi city, southern Philippines. The Philippine military says 13 marines have been killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to southern Marawi city. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Malacañang lamented the deaths of 13 Marines killed in action in Marawi City where government troops are battling ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists to retake the city.
In a statement on Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella called the slain Marines gallant heroes who fought for the liberation of the country’s Maranao brothers and sisters displaced in the conflict.
READ: 13 Marines killed in action, 40 wounded in 14-hour battle in Marawi
“The Palace is deeply saddened by the news on the 13 Marines killed in action during a firefight in Marawi City. They fought gallantly for the liberation of our Maranao brothers and sisters,” Abella said.
Abella said the deaths of 13 Marines, the biggest single day loss for government troops, “give us greater impetus to clear Marawi of lawless elements, save the trapped civilians, and restore order, security and normalcy to the city and its residents.”
With the deaths of 13 Marines, the latest casualty toll among government troops rose to 58, on top of the 138 militants and 20 civilians killed since soldiers battled with Maute rebels in Marawi.
“Let us continue showing our strong support to our courageous and heroic men and women in uniform fighting for Marawi and defending the Republic,” Abella said.
READ: Duterte insists: Martial law not meant to keep me in power
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law in a bid to contain the attack in Marawi and eliminate the Maute, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The US is helping government forces by flying spy planes over Marawi and conducting surveillance and non-combat assistance, even as Duterte rejected US aid and asserted the country’s independent foreign policy. CBB/rga
READ: US spy planes helping Philippine troops in Marawi
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