Philippine defense chief admits he underestimated militants

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted he had underestimated the strength of the ISIL-linked militants fighting in the southern city of Marawi.

Government forces have been fighting militants for 45 days.

Lorenzana visited the city on Thursday and addressed ground commanders, saying he hoped the fighting would end soon but refused to set a deadline, admitting he failed to meet the past three ones.

In response to a Reuters report about President Rodrigo Duterte having considered negotiating with the Maute terrorists, Lorenzana revealed the matriarch of the Maute family had wanted to talk to Duterte, but the president backed out when he saw the brutality of the militants.

(CGTN)