Government in hope of recapturing Marawi by end of Ramadan

PHILIPPINE AIRCRAFT and troops launched a renewed push against Islamist militants in a southern city on Tuesday, and a military spokesman said the aim was to clear the area by the weekend Eid festival on Monday, June 26, although there was no deadline.

The offensive came amid worry that rebel reinforcements could arrive in the city after Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The fighting in Marawi City has dragged on for a month as of Tuesday, and nearly 350 people have been killed, according to an official count.

“We are aiming to clear Marawi by the end of Ramadan,” said military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto F. Padilla, Jr., as army and police commanders met in nearby Cagayan de Oro city to reassess strategy and operations against the militants, who claim allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

But he added, “We are not setting any deadlines knowing the complexity of the battle. We are doing our best to expedite the liberation of Marawi at the soonest time possible.”

The seizure of Marawi and the dogged fight to regain control of this city, provincial capital of Lanao del Sur, has alarmed Southeast Asian nations which fear IS trying to set up a stronghold in the southern Philippines that could threaten the whole region.

Mr. Padilla said the military aimed to prevent the conflict from escalating after Ramadan ends. “We are closely watching certain groups and we hope they will not join the fight,” he said.

Some Muslim residents in Marawi said other groups could join the fighting after Ramadan. “As devout Muslims, we are forbidden to fight during Ramadan so afterwards, there may be new groups coming in,” said Faisal Amir, who has stayed on in the city despite the battle.

Fighting was intense early on Tuesday as security forces made a push to drive the militants, entrenched in Marawi’s commercial district, south towards a lake on the edge of the city.

Planes flew overhead, dropping bombs while on the ground, automatic gunfire was sustained with occasional blasts from bombs and artillery. Armored vehicles fired volleys of shells while the militants responded with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. Fighting later died down as heavy rain fell.

Military sources said troops were attacking the militants from three sides and trying to box them toward the lake. “We’re gaining ground and we’re expanding our vantage positions,” said Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, another military spokesman, although he declined to comment on specifics.

“We are moving towards the center of gravity,” he added, referring to the militants’ command and communications center.

An army corporal near the front line told Reuters soldiers were tagging houses and buildings that had been cleared.

“We still have to clear more than 1,000 structures,” he said, adding infantry units were left behind at “cleared” areas to prevent militants from recapturing ground they have lost.

As of Tuesday, the military said 258 militants, 65 security personnel and 26 civilians had been killed. Hundreds of people are unaccounted for, with many believed to be hiding in the basements of the city.

In a related development, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II reiterated his earlier request to detain arrested Maute terrorist members and sympathizers in the Special Intensive Care Area in Taguig City to unload the burden from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

But when sought for comment, SC Spokesperon Theodore O. Te said in a text message yesterday: “No action on the request of [Secretary of Justice]; in the meantime previous [resolution] stands.”

In his latest letter to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, dated June 19, Mr. Aguirre repeated his request to move detention of arrested Maute members and supporters to the Special Intensive Care Area of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

“We anchor our present entreaty on the imperative need to free the Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel stationed in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City from additional task and concern of safeguarding the apprehended Maute group members,” Mr. Aguirre’s letter reads.

He also reiterated his earlier request to designate the Taguig City Regional Trial Court to hear and try cases to be filed against arrested Maute members and supporters.

Mr. Aguirre, speaking to reporters in an ambush interview on Monday, said he had already talked to Ms. Sereno and the Chief Justice seemed agreeable to his request, although the SC has yet to issue a resolution.

The SC, sitting as a full court last June 6, “resolved to designate the Regional Trial Court of Cagayan de Oro City to hear, try, and decide all cases and incidents arising from Maute Group takeover of Marawi City.”

In a related development, Justice Undersecretary Erickson H. Balmes said in a text message to reporters that 12 Maute supporters underwent inquest proceedings yesterday at Camp Evangelista.

Facing charges for rebellion are Racma Macatuon Talib, Lambo Ampaso Ameril, Huwarda Macatuon Talib, Cosnia M. Talib, Sanabae Saliling Macatuon, Amerodin Capga Ameril, Yusoph Taha Halil, Dima Ampaso Ali, Sapacan Mustapha Talib also known as Sapacan Sabar Talibm Halil Saliliing Ali, Mansawi Imam Gumobat and Lanoden Macatuon Dimarugong.

Junaid A. Dimarugong alias Ameodin Ameril was also arrested with the 12, but according to Mr. Balmes, Mr. Dimarugong perished in the hospital.

The 13 were arrested by police at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center last June 16, following an intensified pursuit by the military on Maute terrorist group members and supporters in Mindanao. —