"It's painful, it's very sad to be hitting our own troops," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told a news conference in Manila. Twenty-five of the dead militants have been identified as Filipinos, according to military officials. At least 25 soldiers, five policemen and more than 24 civilians have been killed in the clashes, Lorenzana said. More than 3,000 soldiers, marines and air force personnel are involved in the fighting, backed by more than 30 assault aircraft, military officials said. Okie Rasul, a fruit vendor and mother of eight, blamed the militants for the uncertainties her family now faces.

Source: Fox News June 01, 2017 03:31 UTC