(VOVWORLD) - Islamist militants control about 20% of Marawi City in southern Philippines, a top general said on Tuesday, refuting a claim by the Islamic State that its fighters were still "spread in more than two-thirds" of the town after three weeks of fighting.
 Philippine security forces patrol in Marawi on June 10, 2017. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
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According to Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, head of military command in Western Mindanao, out of 96 Marawi neighbourhoods, the fighters are holding portions in Marinaut, Lulut, Mapandi, and Bongolo Commercial District, which only comprise 20% of the whole city. It is believed their seized area is getting smaller everyday.
Clashes between Philippine security forces and extremists, who have sworn loyalty to the Islamic State, erupted in late May. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao to combat increasingly serious ISIS threats in the region.