Maute death toll now at 120 as fighting goes on in Marawi City

Photo courtesy of Mark Navales

MANILA, Philippines  - Ongoing military operations against the remaining Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur has so far neutralized 120 of the lawless elements, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Friday.

The enemy death toll was as of 6 p.m. of June 1, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said in a statement.

Ninety of the Maute Group dead were confirmed through body count while the remaining 30 through eye witness reports.

Recovered terrorists weapons are 98 as of this posting with government losses at 36.

Civilians killed by the terrorists are placed at 19 with government security forces rescuing 1,024.

"Compounding developments in the battle remain as follows: (a) that the enemy is using children /civilians as human shields; (b) that the enemy is using Madrasahs as staging areas and mosques as sniper nest," Padilla added. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)