DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Government forces recovered 17 bodies in Barangay Gadungan, Marawi City Wednesday morning.
Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of Joint Task Force Marawi, said the cadavers retrieved 11:40 Wednesday “are believed to be among those civilians who were helplessly murdered by the Maute/ASG terrorists.”
Bautista added this shows the “brutality” of local terrorists.
The Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives are currently identifying the bodies for proper disposition.
Previously, 11 unidentified cadavers including that of a young girl, were buried at Dalipuga Public Cemetery in Iligan City last June 15.
Most of the dead bodies were taken to Capin Funeral Parlor here since May 25, two days after the Marawi siege.
In a previous interview with Jose Pantoja, City Information Officer of Iligan City said they have set aside an area for unclaimed bodies from Marawi City.
Pantoja told Davao Today that a record of the cadavers are kept by the SOCO for those who are looking for their relatives.
“They could go to the SOCO to check the records. Once the SOCO verifies the identity of the cadaver, the relatives may claim it,” Pantoja said.
He said the city government of Iligan is also willing to assist in transporting the bodies as requested by the relatives.
In a press briefing during the Mindanao Hour in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said as of 6 pm Tuesday, June 27, there are already 1,711 civilians rescued, while 71 government troops were killed-in-action and 27 civilians were allegedly killed by terrorists.(davaotoday.com)
