MANILA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that the offensive to retake the rest of the southern city of Marawi is expected to "remain intense and focused" in the coming days.
The government security forces have stepped up efforts to capture the last villages held by Islamist extremists, said the spokesman.
In a statement, spokesman Ernesto Abella lauded the efforts of the military to "safely return a key area in Marawi City under the government's control," referring to the Bayabao bridge in Banggolo that was recaptured this week by government forces.
He said the bridge is a major battle area between government troops and the militants. Military authorities said three soldiers were killed and 52 others wounded on Thursday when troops recaptured the bridge.
"The retaking of this strategic bridge is an important development as we continue to gain the upper hand in the main battle area and expand our vantage point positions with more troop deployments," Abella said.
"The military operations continue to remain intense and focused," he added.
However, he said, the government forces will make sure that the safety of the hostages held by the militants will be a primordial concern.
Aside from the bridge, the military announced that it has also retaken other "strongholds" of the rebels like the grand mosque, a school and a Catholic church.
The insurgents are holding at least 50 people hostage, according to the military. The military also said there are about 50 remaining fighters confined to a half-a-square kilometer inside the ruined Marawi City.
The conflict, which began on May 23, has so far killed more than 800 people.
