Soldiers of the Philippines (Source: www.bbc.com)Hanoi (VNA) – The government armed forces will liberate the southern Marawi city in afew days, announced General Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces ofthe Philippines, in a televised press conference on October 16.
Meanwhile, the armedforces are still looking for the Malaysian terrorist Mahmud bin Ahmad, who ledand sponsored the siege in Marawi city, said Philippine Defence SecretaryDelfin Lorenzana on the same day.
According toLorenzana, after the fighting ends, the Philippine Government will focus onrebuilding Marawi city. He also warned that all major cities in Mindanao regioncould be militants’ target, therefore all government security forces will stayvigilant to prevent their attacks.
Earlier, two remainingleaders of the Islamic militants in southern Philippines were killed. They wereIsnilon Hapilon, who is listed as one of the world's most dangerous terrorists,and Omarkhayam Maute.
Since the attack ofgunmen who pledged allegiance to the self-claimed Islamic State (IS) in Marawicity last May, 822 militants, 162 government soldiers and 47 civilians werekilled. More than 1,700 soldiers and police officers were injured.
Philippine authoritiessaid there are about 30 gunmen remaining in a small residential area near Lanaolake, including 10 foreign ones, mainly from Malaysia and Indonesia.
President Dutertepreviously extended the martial law in the southern province of Mindanao, ofwhich Marawi is a part, to the end of this year to facilitate the army’sactivities against militants.-VNA
