Morale of troops engaged vs Maute Group still high - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 25): Morale of troops engaged vs Maute Group still high - AFP

Morale among troops deployed in the ongoing Marawi City operations to neutralize the remaining Maute Group terrorists remains high.

This was bared by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a message to the PNA over the weekend.

"The morale of our troops is very high. They are all working hard and are focused at resolving this crisis at the soonest (possible time)," he added.

This includes wounded troops who are raring to go back into action.

"Many of the wounded who sustained superficial wounds are raring to go back, join their units and fight again and help liberate Marawi," Padilla added.

The AFP has declined to give exact figures on the number of soldiers wounded-in-action in the ongoing fighting but sources has placed this to around 300 military personnel

Fighting with the Maute Group terrorists started shortly after attempts by the military to apprehend Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, a staunch ally of the lawless elements, last May 23.

As of this posting, the death toll in the ongoing fighting is placed at 268 Maute Group terrorists, 66 soldiers and police officers and 26 civilians.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/997276