The Philippines' military chief says there'll be no let up in hunting down and destroying extremist groups loyal to Islamic State, vowing Marawi City will be retaken within days after the pivotal killing of two top rebel commanders.
General Eduardo Ano says the successful operation to take out the two leaders was a "triumph of good over evil" and urged the 30 militants remaining in a shrinking combat zone to surrender and free hostages as troops stepped up their fight.
"It will be just a matter of days before it will finally be declared that Marawi has been liberated from the clutches of terrorists," Ano told a televised news conference.
"There will be no let up. It's about time to end these terrorists."
Isnilon Hapilon, Islamic State's anointed "emir" in Southeast Asia, was shot in the head by a sniper and Omarkhayam Maute, one of two Middle East-educated "Khalifas" at the helm of the militant alliance, died of a chest wound in a targeted operation during the night, officials said.
The mission came after a freed hostage disclosed the leaders' location. Ano said the bodies had been recovered and identified by experts and by captured rebels.
The deaths of Hapilon and Maute represent a major win for a military criticised for its slow progress in retaking Marawi and the ease with which rebels laid siege to it on May 23, before holding the heart of the city for nearly five months.
Ano said another key operative, Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad, is believed to still be in the battle zone.
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