Another foreign surveillance plane spotted in Marawi

From GMA News (Jul 23): Another foreign surveillance plane spotted in Marawi

[Video report]

Another foreign surveillance plane was again spotted hovering over Marawi City as the Philippine military continued airstrikes on known Maute group positions.

A report on Balitanghali said the surveillance plane was seen almost at the same time as a Philippine military aircraft dropped bombs into Maute-held areas in the war-torn city.

The report said it was not clear if the surveillance plane belonged to Australia or United States.

Last month, the military confirmed that a US Navy P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft conducted an aerial patrol over Marawi City as part of the country's defense agreements with the US.

Australia had also said it will send surveillance planes to help Philippine troops fight local terrorists in Marawi City.

Aerial assaults continued on Saturday as Congress, in a joint session, tackled President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao by five months or until December 31.

Voting 261-18, senators and House representatives granted the request.

More than 500 people, mostly militants, have been killed in the ongoing conflict which is now on its 62nd day.

The conflict started after the Maute group attacked the city last May 23, which prompted Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

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