Marawi conflict over in days: Philippines defense chief

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The Philippines defense chief on Wednesday expressed confidence that months of clashes between government troops and the Daesh-linked Maute militants in Marawi city would be over within three days.

"The ground commanders told me that the Marawi conflict could end before the month ends,” the Philippine News Agency quoted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana saying in Tagalog.

Lorenzana, who is also a martial law administrator, told reporters in Manila that the area the terrorists are holding is shrinking, from 10 hectares a week ago to just about a couple of hectares now.

"Our ground commanders told us that they could finish the crisis by the end of the month. So we have three days to do the job. I am holding them responsible for fulfilling their promise,” he said.

The defense chief admitted that despite the dwindling number of Maute militants, there were still casualties on the side of the government.

Some 20 hostages held by the militants still have yet to be rescued, he said.

Martial law

Lifting martial law in Mindanao, according to Lorenzana, remains uncertain as other militant groups are still active other parts of the island.

“We have to finish the Marawi situation first and then we will assess the situation in the whole of Mindanao, especially in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao area, if there are pockets of resistance from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Central Mindanao and the presence of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Jolo,” Lorenzana was further quoted as saying.

He added they will be making the recommendation sometime in October on whether to lift or continue martial law in Mindanao.

He said they will also consider the "recommendation of the people in and in Lanao” if law should still be implemented while the city is being rehabilitated.

The fighting in Marawi, which began in May, was what prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law across Mindanao.

Duterte said the soldiers are winding up in Marawi except for a few snipers left behind, but added concern for the hostages is delaying an end to the crisis.

The military missed its June 2 deadline to take full control of Marawi from Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists, admitting that government forces had underestimated the enemy force's size and readiness.

In July, Lorenzana said he hoped the conflict would end before Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on July 24.