A Philippine military official says government forces are fighting the last batch of about 30 pro-Islamic State group militants who are surrounded in just one building with all their hostages gone as the nearly five-month siege nears its end in southern Marawi city.
Col. Romeo Brawner says troops are aiming to end the crisis before midnight on Sunday, adding the remaining gunmen, who include some foreign militants, have the option of surrendering or they can either be captured or killed.
Col. Brawner says a gradual withdrawal of military forces is continuing with the easing of the crisis, which has left at least 1,131 people dead, including 919 militants and 165 soldiers and policemen. He says troops continue to ask the gunmen to surrender although most are determined to die fighting.
