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MANILA: Philippine security forces continue to make gains in the battle to retake Marawi City from Daesh-backed Maute militants.
A Catholic priest was rescued from the Maute group, which lost two more strongholds. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said government troops dislodged Maute fighters strategically positioned in and around Bato Mosque and the Aljaitul Islamiya Marawi Foundation (JIMF) on Saturday, after heavy fighting that lasted around five hours.
Año said this AFP gain has deprived Maute of a command-and-control center. Bato is the second major mosque in Marawi City to be liberated.
“As follow-up and clearing operations continue, we expect the enemy to yield more positions, but not without a fight. We’re ready for that. The AFP will press on relentlessly,” he added, urging the remaining Maute members to surrender “while they still have time.”
Priest rescued
Presidential advisor Jesus Dureza announced the rescue of Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob, who was seized by Maute when the Marawi crisis broke out.
Dureza said he received information that Suganob and another hostage were rescued by government forces near Bato Mosque on Saturday.
Dureza declined to give further information, telling Arab News. “Let us wait for official announcements from the AFP and the presidential palace so we don’t jeopardize military operations.”
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) said it was also informed about the rescue of Suganob and another hostage, who is a teacher, according to sources. Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz said their “liberation is the result of our faith in prayer.”
Marawi resident Intesar Aba-Conding told Arab News: “Last night, around midnight, there was again intense fighting and aerial bombing. We’re praying all this will soon be over.”
On Suganob’s rescue, she said: “Allahu akbar (God is the greatest)! I feel like crying. I wish all will be released safe.”
Suganob, vicar general of the Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians, and several parishioners were seized in St. Mary’s Cathedral when Maute attacked Marawi on May 23.
More fighting expected
The military said more fighting is expected in the city as it tries to regain more ground and capture Maute leaders, particularly Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., deputy commander of Task Force Ranao, said according to intelligence information, the two are still in the main battle zone.
“It’s very important that we capture them... We don’t want this to happen in any other city,” Brawner Jr. said, adding the military still has at least 200 structures to clear in the main battle zone.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza earlier said the battle to retake the city is drawing to a close after almost four months of intense fighting. The militants are now contained in a small geographical area, he added.
The conflict has so far resulted in the deaths of 670 Maute militants, 147 government troops and 47 civilians.