City siege down to last building

MARAWI CITY, Philippines - Philippine troops were locked in an intense urban firefight on Sunday with the last remnants of a pro-Islamic State alliance that moved into the area five months ago.

An estimated 30 people, including militants and some of their family members, were battling to hold a fortified, two-storey building next to Marawi City's Lake Lanao, and appeared ready to fight to the death, according to the deputy commander of the operation.

"There's just one building and they're inside," Colonel Romeo Brawner told a news conference.

"We believe these are ones who decided to fight it out, because they believe that if they die there they will go to heaven."

Brawner said soldiers were using loudspeakers to urge them to surrender, and anticipated the gunfight could go on until midnight.

They did not know how many people in the building were alive or dead, he said.

The military made a significant gain against the militants with last week's killing of Isnilon Hapilon, IS's "emir" in Southeast Asia and Omarkhayam Maute, a leader of the Maute militant group.

Another leader and possible bankroller of the operation, Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad, was likely killed also, the military said.

Leadership vacuum

Brawner said the authorities believed foreign operatives were among those still fighting and it was clear there was now a leadership vacuum.

"At this point we don't know who is really the leader," he said.

"Our government forces will try to do everything to finish the firefight today."

Troops have started a phased withdrawal and the authorities may soon allow some residents to return to homes not damaged by the fighting, which displaced at least 300,000 people.

More than 1,000 have been killed, mostly militants.

The government estimates the rebuilding of Marawi could cost at least 50 billion pesos ($971 million).

Meanwhile, Brawner said government forces have rescued all hostages who were being held by the extremists.

"The latest number of hostages that we rescued was 20," Brawner said.

Reuters - Xinhua

(China Daily 10/23/2017 page11)