(Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday said Marawi was “on its way to normalcy,” as it noted it has not monitored any terrorist in the main battle area of the city.
In a press briefing on Friday, AFP spokesperson Restituto Padilla said the last encounter between local terrorists and government troops was November 5.
He said nine terrorists were killed at that time.
“That is why recently, there has been an announcement that we no longer sense or monitor any sign of life in the last main battle areas,” Padilla said.
He said even with nine barangays cleared though, the military continues to recover firearms in the area.
As of Thursday, Padilla said they recovered 16 more unexploded ordnances, and two more in a place where troops already recovered 30 high-powered firearms.
He said 36 barangays are being subjected to clearing operations.
“The road to normalcy is on its way…,” he said.