17 hostages rescued but no sign of surrender yet from militants
AS THE gun battle in Marawi entered its 136th day yesterday, officials reported that government forces were able to rescue 17 hostages on Oct. 4, Wednesday, 9 of them male and 8 females. Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana confirmed the number of rescued who have been in the hands of the Islamic State-inspired members of local terror group Maute. Mr. Lorenzana did not give further information on the situation in the city, but Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said while the remaining terrorists are still showing tenacity and resistance, “military operations are focused and intense and necessitate time to rescue remaining hostages, and bring to a decisive conclusion the Marawi rebellion.” Mr. Abella also said the rescue is “a positive development towards the liberation of Marawi from the hands of terrorists.” — Rosemarie A. Zamora
Members of various sectors — including the military, local government, and national agencies — clean the street and overgrowth around a house, with a white flag hanging, that appears to have been spared from the still ongoing gun battle between government troops and Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group since May 23. The clean-up activity is part of the Brigada Marawi program launched Wednesday, Oct. 4. The initial areas covered include the Old Capitol, Matampay, and Tampilong. — LANAO DEL SUR PROVINCIAL GOV’T
Members of various sectors — including the military, local government, and national agencies — clean the street and overgrowth around a house, with a white flag hanging, that appears to have been spared from the still ongoing gun battle between government troops and Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group since May 23. The clean-up activity is part of the Brigada Marawi program launched Wednesday, Oct. 4. The initial areas covered include the Old Capitol, Matampay, and Tampilong. — LANAO DEL SUR PROVINCIAL GOV’T
