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Militants holding 100 hostages in Philippine city

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Manila: Militants fighting government troops in Marawi in the southern Philippines are holding about 100 hostages, the army said on Thursday, even as it predicted that the crisis in the besieged city was nearing an end.


Troops have “paralysed” the logistics of more than 200 militants holed up in Marawi City, 800 kilometres south of the capital Manila, for more than two weeks, military officials said.


The gunmen, who come from different groups that pledge allegiance to the IS terrorist movement, are hiding in buildings and houses in three districts of Marawi, said Major General Carlito Galvez, a regional military commander.


Troops have captured one of the militant strongholds that leads to the centre of the city, Galvez said.


“We found food, improvised explosive devices and mobility assets. Considering that we have already paralysed the logistics capability, we are looking at the possibility that the end will be near,” he added.


Galvez said the militants were holding “more or less 100 hostages,” including a Catholic priest. The priest is still alive, and troops were doing their best to rescue him and the other hostages, said Brigadier General Rolando Bautista, commander of the military task force in Marawi. “The rescue of the civilians is parallel to the destruction of the local terrorist group,” he said. “Our timetable is within four days.”


The fighting in Marawi City began on May 23, when hundreds of militants went on a rampage after government forces attempted to arrest a local IS leader.


More than 190 people have been killed in the violence, including134 militants, eight of whom were foreigners, the military said. The hostilities have also displaced more than 220,000 residents. — dpa


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