Troops claim enemy's hold in Marawi 'decreasing'

President Duterte meets the troops battling against the terrorist in Marawi City. (Malacañang file photo)

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Despite their hesitance to give a date on when the crisis in Marawi City will end, the military claims the government is winning the war.

Major General Danilo Pamonag, Commander of Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident, said the “enemy’s hold in Marawi City is decreasing day-by-day.”

“It is only a matter of time that the crisis will end,” he said.

On early dawn of Tuesday, September 12, the government forces recovered firearms from the enemy that included two high-powered firearms and a Night Vision Goggle.

Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, head of the Civil Military Operations of the 1st Infantry Division, said that it was the Marines Special Operations Group under Joint Task Group Tiger who engaged the ISIS-inspired Maute group for 30 minutes.

“The heavy firefight yielded five confirmed killed on the enemy side with four enemy body counts. Two bodies were retrieved while the other two were left on the site because of dangerous circumstances. There was no casualty on the government side,” Herrera said in a statement.

Last month, the Baloi Bridge, which was the stronghold of the terrorist group was recaptured by the government soldiers in exchange of the 13 lives of the marines.

Days after journalists were permitted to get inside Barangay Bubong Madaya, the barangay across the bridge which became a main battle ground of the government troops and their enemies, the ground troops took control of the Jameo Mindano Al-Islamie or popularly know as Islamic Center or Grand Mosque.

The military said the structure was also used by the militants as a command post where they gathered their hostages.

On September 11, President Rodrigo Duterte went back to Marawi City which the military said boosted the morale of the troops.

Duterte said he is not placing any timetable on when the fighting will end. (davaotoday.com)