[GMA News] The number of Maute militants being pursued by security forces in Marawi City has gone down to 80. Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said, "The remaining local terrorist group is more or less around 80, and they have still occupied vantage positions as we move forward to the center of gravity."Herrera said the remaining Maute militants are holed up in an area within the city's business district with at least 800 buildings. He said the military will continue the air strikes to flush out Maute snipers, who have been slowing down the military advance into the rebel positions. Herrera added that Abdullah Maute is still in command of the remaining Maute militants.
As of July 8, the military spokesman said a total of 366 Maute rebels have been killed by troops. The number of deaths on the government side was at 87, while 38 civilians have been confirmed killed by the terrorists. A total of 1,722 civilians trapped in Marawi City have been rescued.
The conflict is now on its seventh week. Malacañang had said the government might spend at least P20 billion for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city.