Marawi

The president had already approved 33 different projects to upgrade and modernize military capacities.

"If I overstay and wanted to become a dictator, shoot me, I am not joking," Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said at an army base.

Officials described Rodrigo Duterte as "overwhelmed" to meet President Donald Trump, who has praised the Philippine leader's war on drugs and ISIS.

The head of the Philippine military said only about 30 militants remained in the formerly ISIS-held city and that victory would come "in a matter of days."

It is not the first time the Philippines president has referenced cannibalism.

"He signs papers, he reads, he consults, he's actually very busy."

Several Singaporeans have been arrested in recent weeks for trying to reach ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

The conflict in the southern Philippines has been raging for more than a month, despite President Duterte's assurances it would be over in three days.

"The school area is again safe."

Duterte had previously warned the international community from "meddling" in the Philippines' affairs.

They fear that new groups will join the conflict after Eid al-Fitr.

Over 200 people have died during the conflict which Duterte promised would be "over in three days'.

The Maute Group and other rebels are targeting Christians in the fight to takeover the city.

There are fears the war across the border in the Philippines will kickstart a flood of militants across the border.

Though extremist propaganda boasts the group controls "two thirds" of the city, the army denied the claim and said it had killed 202 "confirmed terrorists."

A Catholic priest taken hostage with his parishioners on the first day of the siege 'could still be alive'.

There are still 2,000 people trapped city in the southern Philippines.

"It's very sad to be hitting our own troops," Defense Secretary Lorenzana said.

The army has used airstrikes and street combat to try and force out the Maute group militants who took hold of the city a week ago.