DAVAO CITY–Government troops have killed 31 terrorists four days after they laid siege on Marawi and flew black Islamic State banners over the city.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that the 11 soldiers and two policemen were also among the casualties.
One of the fatalities was beheaded by a terrorist, Padilla said.
Padilla said that firefights against the Maute group are still ongoing in some parts of Marawi City.
Padilla said the main objective of the troops was to clear the entire city of Marawi of terrorists as soon as possible.
He also confirmed the statement of Solicitor General Jose Calida that there are foreign terrorists in Marawi City.
“Yes, there are also certain elements here who have been in the country for a long time, aiding these terrorists in skills related to terrorism, primarily bomb making,” he said.
Padilla said they are currently verifying the reports that a number of Malaysia, Indonesian and Singaporean terrorist were killed in Marawi siege.
He said that they are already coordinating with the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore about the presence of the foreign terrorists.
Malaysia Federal Police special branch director Datik Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said at least five Malaysians were now believed to be fighting with Maute group in Marawi City, Mindanao.
In a statement, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed there were two Malaysians who were killed in a firefight in Marawi City.
“We cannot confirm [the identities of] those who were killed as there are a number of people [Malaysians] over there,” Harun said.
Two Indonesian fighters were also among the casualties, reports said.
The Maute group, led by brothers Omar and Adullah, operates under the banner of Dawlah Islamiya or Islamic State in Lanao.
Authorities in Davao, meanwhile, said they monitored at least 1,000 people who obtained fake ID cars following the declaration of martial law in the entire island of Mindanao.
Davao City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum said they received information that at least 1,000 residents ordered the printing of fake IDs since Thursday afternoon.
He said that they are now conducting investigations to identify the holders of those fake IDs.
