Nearly 500 civilians, hostages rescued from Maute

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government forces going house to house to clear Marawi City of militants have already rescued close to 500 civilians taken as hostages, according to officials. 

The number of people killed in clashes between government troops and gunmen of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group increased to 104. Among those killed were 65 Maute members, 20 soldiers and 19 civilians.

The military's latest rescue involved 163 civilians on Monday afternoon from at least two barangays in the center of Marawi, said Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan and 1st Army Division.

Heavy engagement erupted about 10:20 a.m. Monday as government forces battled 30 terrorists holding civilian hostages for days at the compound of Lanao Del Sur Electric Company Inc. in Barangay Gadungan.

At least 22 civilians were rescued and escorted out by the troops to safety as fighting subsided, said Bautista.

Soldiers penetrated other section of Barangay Gadungan and were able to rescue 20 more civilians hiding in one of the buildings.

At about 2:30 p.m. of the same day, troops engaged in a firefight with undetermined number of Maute members in Barangay Marinaut and recovered four M4 carbine rifles and an M203 launcher left by the fleeing terrorists.

In Barangay Saber, the government saved 121 civilians and facilitated their safe passage towards the capitol.

Bautista said clearing operations continue in some parts of Marawi City.

As of Tuesday morning, the military accounted 439 civilians rescued by joint forces of Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police since day one of the Maute crisis.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said the terrorists rejected attempts for them to stand down to allow the evacuation of trapped civilians.

Galvez said there is a need for government forces to be employ calculated actions to avoid collateral damage and loss of life.

“In doing so, we are sad to report to the Filipino people that 20 of your soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and more than 50 were wounded,” Galvez said in a statement.

Galvez also asked the continued support and understanding from the affected people.

The fighting which entered its eighth day has already left 65 Maute members killed. Forty-two of those bodies were recovered by troops and 23 others were confirmed by eyewitnesses.

Galvez said at least 55 guns were recovered, including 51 high-powered and four low-powered firearms.

At least 19 dead bodies of civilians mercilessly killed by the terrorists were recovered from different parts of the city.

Bautista said the focus of government forces included clearing Marawi of militants, rescuing trapped civilians and recovering bodies of victims in the fastest means possible.