MANILA - Soldiers who fought to liberate Marawi from Islamic State-linked terrorists can look forward to a vacation in Hong Kong as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte, an aide said Sunday.

"Matutuloy iyun, wala lang pang petsa na ibinibigay sa atin ang ating Pangulo," Presidential Communication Secretary Martin Andanar told DZMM.

Duterte has promised to shoulder the hotel accomodation and pocket money of the troops, especially women soldiers, said Andanar.

The private sector would be helping Duterte to fulfill his promise, said Majoy Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the Armed Forces.

"Isang airline company ang siyang magbibigay ng libreng ticket at ilang private individuals po na nagbigigay ng ano pa mang dagdag sa ibibigay na pambaon po ng ating mahal na Pangulo," Padilla said in a separate DZMM interview.

Duterte last week said Marawi has been liberated from terrorist influence, 5 months after Islamic State-linked fighters stormed the southern city.

The military has commenced a gradual pullout of troops from the battle zone. Commandos are set to undergo stress debriefing and re-training, said Padilla.

• More soldiers from Marawi return to Manila

DZMM, 22 October 2017