MANILA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday it is "unlikely" that the southern Philippine city Marawi would become a hub of Islamist militants in the region.
He also rejected some American senators' proposal that the U.S. should send more troops to the Philippines.
"It's unlikely for Marawi to become a new hub for IS fighters. The Philippine military has already pre-empted the Maute group from establishing a wilayah or province in Marawi," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told a news conference.
U.S. lawmakers have reportedly expressed concern about the growing threats from the IS militants, particularly the possibility of making Marawi a center of their terrorist operations in the region. They also called for a bigger role for the U.S. forces in the campaign.
Abella reiterated that the U.S. role in the Philippine government's ongoing military offensive against the militants lies in providing technical assistance. The militants, belonging to the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf group, have been inspired by the IS.
"The role of the U.S. in relation to IS, is to provide technical assistance as prescribed by the Constitution and we will abide by that," Abella said, implying there is no need for more U.S. troops here.
The Philippine military has been battling the militants in Marawi City since May 23.
Meanwhile, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Tuesday the military "is aiming to clear Marawi by the end of Ramadan," in case that rebel reinforcements may arrive after Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
However, asked when the conflict will end, Padilla said the military is not putting a timeline due to the "complexity of the environment."
"We cannot definitely say when we could end this because we are fighting door to door and there are booby traps that need to be taken apart," Padilla said.
The military said as of June 19, 349 people have died in the 29-day firefight, including 258 terrorists, 65 soldiers and 26 civilians.
