(CNN Philippines, June 26) — Six civilians and the body of another civilian were recovered from Marawi City after the 10-hour humanitarian pause in offensives Sunday.
This brings the total civilian body count to 27 and the number of rescued individuals to 1,702 as of 7 p.m. Sunday.
In addition, 290 terrorists were also killed in action, including two Middle-Eastern terrorists, while 70 government troops died, according to Palace reports.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen Restituto Padilla said in a Monday statement that the military will carry on with their mission despite the casualties.
“(The number of casualties) include those who expired while being treated. Such a high price to pay for the liberation of Marawi,” Padilla said.
In a Monday report released by the Joint Task Force Marawi, the temporary ceasefire between government troops and local terror group Maute-ISIS was “generally peaceful,” according to spokesman Lt. Col Jo-ar Herrera.
Related: LOOK: Peaceful Eid’l Fitr in Marawi warzone
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is winning, and that victory is irreversible,” Herrera said in a press briefing.
The AFP’s “humanitarian pause,” originally scheduled from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., was the government’s way of showing solidarity with Muslim Filipinos as they celebrate the end of Ramadan or Eid’l Fitr.
Read: AFP: No offensives vs. Maute group on Eid’l Fitr
The halt on offensives was extended for two more hours to allow Muslim religious leaders to talk to Maute-ISIS members and convince them to release civilian hostages.
Read more: AFP, religious leaders in talks with Maute-ISIS to release hostages
Herrera said the offensives resumed today, with airstrikes reported at 7 a.m.
Herrera added that 86 buildings in the city, which were occupied by local terror group Maute, have been cleared in the last 48 hours.
He also said the military has validated there are leadership problems within the Maute group.
“They have really limited maneuver space. Ibig sabihin po nito lumiliit yung mundo nila [This means their legroom is getting smaller],” Herrera said.
Read more: There’s divisiveness among Maute Group leaders
CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Camille Abadicio contributed to this report.
