Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two cadavers of middle-eastern persons were among those recovered by government troopers as air and ground operations continue in the battle to win back Marawi after the ISIS-linked Maute Group launched a siege more than a month ago.
In a press briefing at the Provincial Capitol in Marawi on Monday, June 26, Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi said the two middle-eastern looking dead bodies were among the cadavers recovered in the last 48 hours inside the war-torn areas of the city.
“We are investigating the two cadavers to determine their identities,” Herrera said.
This is not the first time foreign looking cadavers were recovered as fighting continues in Marawi. Eight foreign-looking terrorists, including Chechens and Arabs were reported killed weeks after the Marawi siege broke out.
Fighting was stopped for eight hours on Sunday to pave the way of the celebration of the end of Ramadhan but on Monday, the JTF said military operations already resumed.
“Offensive operations resumed and will continue to liberate Marawi at the soonest time possible,” Herrera pointed out.
The JTF Marawi spokesperson also told reporters of the successful clearing of 85 buildings and the increasing recovery of advantageous and strategic positions as government troopers advance to what he called “deep positions” of the Mautes.
Additional firearms were also recovered during the last 48 hours, Herrera said.
Only four barangays remain to be problematic, he stressed, adding that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is focused and determined to complete its mission in Marawi.
Morale of troops is also high, Herrera said, as he appealed to the public to continue to support and pray for the troops.
“AFP is winning and that victory is irreversible,” Herrera said.
In the same press conference, Provincial Crisis Management Committee spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said 13 individuals were also rescued since Sunday, June 25 in Marawi.
Among those rescued were children aged 6 and 7 years old.
Of the 13 rescued, Alonto said five were women while eight were men. (davaotoday.com)
