Martial law in Mindanao helped neutralize Maute infrastructure — Lorenzana

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MANILA  - Careful implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao has greatly aided the government's efforts in neutralizing the support infrastructure of the remaining Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City.

Aided by the principled and properly guided implementation of Martial Law, the collapse of the terrorists support infrastructure is assured," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

Martial law in Mindanao was implemented nighttime of May 23 following the attack of Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City.

“And with the overwhelming support of fellow Filipinos in general and local residents in particular, we can altogether deter terrorists from causing further havoc in other parts of our country,” the defense chief stressed.

As this develops, Lorenzana said the government is now making plans needed for the the reconstruction of war-torn Marawi City.

“Government has trailed it focus on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi as the defeat of the Maute-ISIS Group looms with the military operations and the cooperation of local government," he added.

As of 6 p.m. Saturday, Maute Group terrorists have sustained 367 killed during ongoing focused military operations.

Also recovered were a total 367 firearms have been recovered from them. There were 39 civilians they have mercilessly killed or executed.

Meanwhile, 1,722 civilians who were held hostage or trapped in the main battle were either rescued or brought out of harms way.

Government losses at now placed at 87 killed. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/Gilbert Villaruz & Jayvee H. Castro (OJTs)/PNA)