By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The defense secretary declared southern Mindanao island’s Marawi City free from all militants and an end of combat operations on Monday, exactly five months since the conflict between the military and Daesh-linked groups erupted in the area.

Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers’ meeting in northern Pampanga Province, Delfin Lorenzana said the battle of government forces with Daesh-linked Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups in Marawi that had been ongoing since May 23 was now finally over.

"There are no more militants in Marawi," Lorenzana said, according to GMA news.

"We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi."  

The announcement came almost a week after President Rodrigo Duterte announced the “liberation” of Marawi following the death of key militant leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

Earlier, the military said at least 30 suspected militants, including five foreigners were holed up in the basement of a “well-fortified” building in the besieged Marawi City.

Later, Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander Col. Romeo Brawner said bodies of suspected militants were yet to be recovered from the last building the group held in the area.

The Marawi siege has so far seen 1,132 deaths: 920 terrorists, 165 government troops and 47 civilians.

Martial law to remain

About who was leading the militants now following the deaths of Hapilon and Maute, Brawner said: “At this point we don't know who really is the leader.”

Brawner said Malaysian terrorist Amin Bacu may still be alive and could have taken over the leadership.

He said 20 people, including some alleged wives of militants were rescued from a building where militants had been holed up.

In an interview with a local radio station earlier, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said martial law in Mindanao island was still needed until the end of the year.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also said military rule was required to fully flush out remnants of the militant groups in Mindanao.

“The death of the ringleaders of the Marawi rebellion which include Omar Maute, Isnilon Hapilon, and Dr. Mahmud Ahmad does not automatically result in the lifting of martial law,” said Abella.

“There are remnants including networks supporting the Maute cause within Mindanao. The president is duty-bound not to compromise public safety,” he added.

Duterte had imposed a martial law in Mindanao when the terror groups launched an attack on Marawi following the botched arrest of Hapilon.