8 Maute-held buildings in Marawi City recovered by military - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): 8 Maute-held buildings in Marawi City recovered by military - AFP

Government forces have recovered eight buildings in Marawi City believed to be used by Maute Group terrorists as sniper and machinegun positions.

This was bared by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in briefing Wednesday.

He declined to give the locations of the captured Maute Group buildings as doing so could give the lawless elements time to reposition or recapture these dwellings again.

"I can't give exact details on how many buildings remain to be captured but what I can give you with certainty is how many did we recover. As of yesterday or this morning, we have received reports that we have captured eight and among these is one of the highest which (contains) their sniper nests and machinegun positions and overlooks Marawi City," Arevalo stressed in Filipino.

He added that Maute Group resistance is now dwindling but emphasized that they are not taking this lightly.

"We cannot be imprudent, we have to be very careful with our actions as they are still holding some civilian hostages," the military officer disclosed.

As of this posting, government troopers killed in action are placed at 58 with 202 Maute Group terrorists dead and 26 civilians executed.

Objective of the AFP for now is to neutralize all remaining terrorists in Marawi City and at least degrade their capability to conduct atrocity in other areas; rescue civilians still trapped in the area or being held hostage; and set conditions for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi, Arevalo bared.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995385