Government troops head to the frontline as fighting with Muslim militants in Marawi city enters its second week, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in the southern Philippines. Philippine forces pressed their offensive to drive out militants linked to the Islamic State group after days of fighting left corpses in the streets and hundreds of civilians begging for rescue from a besieged southern city of Marawi. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
(Updated)聽The military聽on Tuesday聽called on the remaining terrorists holed up in Marawi City to yield while there is still time.
鈥淲e call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity,鈥� Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
鈥淔or the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death,鈥� he added.
The government has set a聽June 1聽deadline to flush out the remaining terrorists in the besieged city.
鈥淲e aired this message in the hope of ending this soon and reducing any more loss of lives and property鈥�.We will come out victorious! We stand by the people of Marawi whose interests and safety we are protecting,鈥� Padilla also said.
He also said that the military will continue with its 鈥減recise鈥� air assaults, adding these are 鈥渏udiciously used to prevent collateral damage and employed at specific targets of resistance to protect our troops and hasten clearing of the city of terrorist elements who continue to resist.鈥�
The military said it is focusing on clearing Marawi of militants, rescuing trapped residents, and recovering civilian casualties.
Government forces have so far rescued 560 civilians.
At least 19 civilians and 20 government forces (17 from AFP, 3 from Philippine National Police) have been killed since the fighting began.
The military has so far killed 65 militants, with 42 body counts. Foreign fighters were also reportedly included in the casualties.
At least 90,000 people were said to be displaced as the gunbattle continued on its eighth day. JE/rga
RELATED STORIES
AFP says it鈥檚 close to retaking Marawi