The Maute rebels in Marawi remain firm against withdrawing from the city even if the government expressed openness to negotiations.
An attendee during a meeting with rebel leader Abdullah Maute during the eight-hour “humanitarian” ceasefire on Sunday, said the Islamic State (IS)-inspired group will consider withdrawing if the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will intervene, the Inquirer reports.
“If the MILF will intervene, they are ready to leave Marawi City. But if not, they will fight to the last drop of their blood,” a source, who did not want to be named, said.
MILF spokesperson Von Al Haq said the group is willing to intervene but it will consult the government first.
“We don’t want our actions to be misinterpreted, so we want that all actions to have the government’s go-signal and agreed upon by both parties,” Al Haq told the Inquirer.
Photo Credits: ABS-CBN News
