Palace welcomes rescue of 17 Marawi hostages

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang welcomed on Thursday the rescue of 17 hostages from the terrorists Maute Group in Marawi City.

“We see this as a positive development towards the liberation of Marawi from the hands of terrorists,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the rescue of 17 more hostages from the terrorists.

Lorenzana refused to give more details as rescue operations on other hostages who remain trapped continue.

While rebels remain holed up in a small portion of the city, Abella said the terrorists continue to “show tenacity and resistance.”

“Military operations are focused and intense and necessitate time to rescue remaining hostages, and bring to a decisive conclusion the Marawi rebellion,” he said.

After setting deadlines, which were later on extended, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said last week that the liberation of the Islamic city would be over this October. /jpv