MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it would no longer set deadlines to end the ongoing siege in Marawi City.

“Yes, for now,” AFP Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told reporters in Malacañang when asked if the military would no longer set target end dates on the conflict, which entered its fourth week on Tuesday.

“We will ensure that we are able to clear it of any armed elements that still exist, and it may take some time," said Padilla.

The military had imposed several deadlines to quell militant attacks in the city, but state forces have faced difficulties given the terrorists' apparent preparedness and the presence of trapped civilians in the battle zone.

The government had hoped to "liberate" Marawi on June 12, the country's 119th Independence Day. But the continuing offensives, including bomb drops in terrorist-held areas, showed that the crisis was far from over.

Explaining the protracted battle, Padilla said the military's top objective was to save trapped civilians from harm.

“In an urban terrain where civilians are still currently trapped and may possibly be used as human shields or may be hit by crossfire, troops have to be very careful,” he said.

“[If] it takes a little more time, then so be it, for as long those lives are safe,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law after the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups, backed by foreign terrorists, laid siege to Marawi City on May 23.

The clashes erupted as government troops were attempting to arrest Abu Sayyaf senior leader Isnilon Hapilon, considered the Islamic State’s point person in Southeast Asia. The government said the attempt to arrest Hapilon was meant to preempt a bigger attack from the militants.