Thousands flee region under martial law in Philippines

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Thousands of people are abandoning their homes in southern Mindanao region where President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a martial law following reports of clashes between a Daesh-linked armed group and security forces, according to local media and eyewitnesses.

Large number of people can be seen leaving the affected areas in private and public vehicles with whatever possessions they could bring along, including some livestock and pets. They were being taken to temporary shelters established by the government in Iligan City and Cagayan.

More than 100 armed members of the Maute group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf group attacked the region’s Marawi city on Tuesday. A cathedral, jail and a school were reportedly burnt; they also reportedly held hostage over a dozen people, including a priest and parishioners.

Later on Tuesday, Duterte declared the whole of Mindanao under martial rule for 60 days and cut short his five-day visit to Moscow. The president had also warned the martial law would not be any different from the brutal days of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, stressing he will be “harsh” in dealing with the armed groups.

Abao, a young Maranao professional from Marawi city who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said people in the area were living in fear ever since they heard sporadic gunfire and saw heavily-armed soldiers with tanks and armored vehicles near their homes.

"We, Moro, fear now for our lives as we might be caught in the crossfire or we might be victimized by the warrantless arrest. We really fear for the effects of war," he said.

Another Marawi resident recalled the Zamboanga Siege from 2013 when fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front attacked the city. He said the people do not want a repeat of such a crisis that left thousands of people displaced, hundreds dead and many civilians, particularly the urban poor still reeling from its impact despite years passing by.

"The declaration of martial law also lessens the possibility of resolving the issue through diplomatic means. Marawi city is being turned into a battleground," she added.

In a statement, the White House condemned the violence "perpetrated by an ISIS-linked terrorist group", referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, another name for Daesh.

"These cowardly terrorists killed Philippine law enforcement officials and endangered the lives of innocent citizens," spokesman Sean Spicer said. "The United States will continue to provide support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts."

Earlier, Marawi city Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra appealed to the government to uphold human rights of innocent civilians during its martial law in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao condemned the Maute group for its atrocities in Marawi city.

“Words might seem useless right now, as no words can express what we feel as we share in the fear and anger of our people. We strongly condemn these acts of terror committed against the people of Marawi City and swear to take immediate action as necessary,” Hataman said in a statement.

Capt. Jo Ann Petinglay briefed reporters at Western Mindanao Command headquarters on Thursday about the military offensives in Basilan and Sulu provinces. Petinglay said two Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and three pro-government militiamen were wounded in Basilan; a soldier was also killed and 10 other troops also wounded in Sulu.

Earlier, the Western Mindanao Command said the number of government forces killed in the ongoing clashes between government forces and Maute fighters in Marawi City had risen to seven. In a text message, spokesman Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay said at least five soldiers and two policemen were killed in action, while 31 others were wounded on the government side.

The military also said the whole of Marawi city is currently under a “black out”, meaning there was no electricity in the area; it said the move would thwart Maute snipers in the area.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this story from Washington.