Philippines' Duterte declares Marawi freed from Maute

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday declared the liberation of the southern city of Marawi from Daesh-linked Maute terrorists after nearly five months of fighting that has left more than 1,000 people dead.

Duterte's announcement came a day after the deaths of Abu Sayyaf head Isnilon Hapilon, the "emir" of Daesh for Southeast Asia, and Omarkhayam Maute, one of the Maute group's key leaders, in a military assault in the main battle area.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence. That marks the beginning of rehabilitation," the President said in an address to the troops, aired over PTV, a state-run television station.

Duterte also vowed that no troop would be left behind. "I can guarantee you, I say that to you now, nobody will be left, I will secure all of you."

GMA News' Radio dzBB reported that Joint Task Group Ranao deputy commander Col. Romeo Brawner said there was still an ongoing operation to rescue the remaining hostages in Marawi.

Brawner said that with Duterte's declaration, the joint task force would move to the next phase of clearing the entire city of the Maute group's bombs and unexploded ordnance.

He added the Health Department would sanitize Marawi before the actual rehabilitation of the war-ravaged city and that part of the clearing operation of the government troops was to recover the cadavers within the battle zone.

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23, hours after fighting between government forces and Daesh-linked terrorist group broke out in Marawi City. Congress extended the military rule until Dec. 31.

The months-long fighting left Marawi in ruins, while more than 400,000 people have been displaced amid the clashes, with many staying in evacuation centers and temporary shelters.

Duterte has ordered the reconstruction of Marawi with an initial allocation of P20 billion (nearly $390 million). The government has estimated the rebuilding of the city to take around 2 to 3 years.