DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) — MARAWI is free from terrorist now, after 154 days of battle.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana the end “of all combat operations in Marawi City,” the announcement means termination of all military operations in the area which is now under the government control.
The Marawi siege started morning of May 23 and officially ended today, October 23, 2017.
This as military recovered 40 bodies suspected to be members of the terrorists group.
Lorenzana made the announcement during the ASEAN regional ministers meeting in Clark, Pampanga few minutes ago.
Assemblyman Zia Adiong in a press conference said the provincial government of Marawi will soon hold a thanksgiving day to recognize those who helped in clearing Marawi of terrorists.
As of now, the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and crime laboratory personnel are conducting rescue and retrieval operations “requested 50 body bags” and additional canine dogs to help in the operations, Adiong added.
Lorenzana stressed “There are no more militants in Marawi.” He emphasized “After 154 days of siege by Maute ISIS group, after a week since the Commander-in-chief (Duterte) declared the liberation of Marawi, we now announce the termination of all military operations in Marawi.”
He said “In crushing thus far the most serious attempt to export violent extremism and radicalism in the Philippines and in the region, we have contributed to preventing its spread in Asia and gave our share to maintaining global peace, stability, and security.”-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
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