MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has appealed for public understanding over the situation in Marawi City.

“We are appealing to the public for more patience. Kung hindi natin natatapos ang bakbakan sa (If we are unable to finish the fight in) Marawi within their expectations, the reason being ay yung (are the) challenges pa rin ng ginagawa natin yung  (when carrying out) clearing operations,” said AFP-PAO Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

The military has asked for an additional two weeks to end the hostilities in the city.

Though Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said last week that the war in Marawi could be over in three days, the military admitted it is still in pursuit of around 50 terrorists in eight to nine hectares of property in Marawi City’s highly urbanized area.

But AFP spokesman Col. Arevalo assured that the terrorist group is now waning and the scope of their movement has become limited after the government troops reclaimed most of their camps.

Arevalo added that some members of the terrorist group have already surrendered apart from the release of captive priest Chito Suganob.

“Malaking kabawasan ito sa kanila to use them ang kanilang hostages as human shield (This is a big loss for them, as they use their hostages as human shield). May mga surrenderers tayong nakuha at mga surrender feelers  na natatanggap na patuloy na nagsasabi na gusto na nilang sumuko (We have received surrenderers and  surrender feelers that continue to indicate they want to surrender already),” said Arevalo.

Based on the latest count of the AFP, there are a total of 749 terrorists killed in the battle and the government has recovered a total of 795 firearms.

A total of 155 were killed on the side of the government and 47 civilian deaths. — Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue