Alwaght- ISIS Takfiri terrorists laying siege to a southern Philippine city have killed 19 civilians, the country's military said Sunday.
Local officials say ISIS terrorists had killed 19 civilians in Marawi, a mostly Muslim-populated city of 200,000 people. These included three women and a child who were found dead near a university. Following the latest fatalities, the official death toll from week of fighting rises to at least 100 as ISIS Takfiri terrorists clash with security forces in Muslim-majority city.
“These are civilians, women. These terrorists are anti-people. We found their bodies while conducting rescue operations [on Saturday],” regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera said.
The siege began six days ago when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi after security forces attempted to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino extremist regarded as the local leader of ISIS.
Following the rampage by ISIS terrorists, the country's President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the affected region in an attempt to contain the situation. Duterte cut short a visit to Russia and imposed martial law on the island of Mindanao on Tuesday.
The president says martial law will remain in place until the military confirms the country is safe.
“Until the police and the armed forces say the Philippines is safe, this martial law will continue. I will not listen to others. The Supreme Court, congress, they are not here,” Philippines President Duterte told soldiers on Saturday.
Military chiefs have said most of the militants belong to the local Maute group, which they estimate has about 260 armed followers and has declared allegiance to ISIS. But Duterte has said local criminals are backing the Maute in Marawi.
The military announced on Saturday, the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, that it would intensify the bombing campaign.
“In as much as we would like to avoid collateral damage, these rebels are forcing the hand of government by hiding and holding out inside private homes, government buildings and other facilities,” military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said.
“Their refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical airstrikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end.”
