MANILA: Philippines military on Monday said it was close to retaking Marawi City from the Maute group, as helicopters unleashed more rockets on positions held by the terrorists who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
The conclusion of the military operation included a search for Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who remained in Marawi, Brig Gen Restituto Padilla, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told reporters in Malacañang on the seventh day of the crisis.
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