(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella hailed the government troops’ rescue of 17 more hostages from terrorists holed up in Marawi and the surrender of eight terrorists who turned over other hostages as a “positive development toward the liberation of Marawi from the hands of the terrorists.”
He noted, however, that military operations, which are “focused and intense”—still “necessitate time (for the) rescue (of) remaining hostages, (in order to) bring to a decisive conclusion the Marawi rebellion.”
“While rebels remain holed up in a small portion of the city, they show tenacity and resistance,” he said.
The Marawi conflict has been going on for four months.
