GOVT TROOPS CAPTURE KEY BRIDGE IN MARAWI

But Marawi residents still could not go home because it is not safe yet, military spokesman says.

Government troops have captured a key bridge leading to the main position of the remaining Maute Group militants in Marawi City but won’t stage a major assault and will instead press efforts to rescue civilian hostages, an official said Monday.

Government troops gained control last week of Mapandi bridge, which leads to Marawi’s interior business district, where 40 to 60 remaining militants are believed to be holding 80 to 100 hostages, mostly in a large mosque, said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

But a major assault wasn’t imminent, he said.

“We now have direct access to ground zero,” Padilla said at a news conference in Manila, referring to the bridge over Marawi’s Agus River that can now be used to rapidly transport troops and combat supplies. “Our main objective is to rescue the hostages.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered troops to ensure the safety of the hostages and not launch a massive assault that can endanger the captives even if that prolongs the militant siege, which has already dragged for more than two months. More than 650 people have died in the violence, including 45 civilians.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed fears Monday that the militants, who have been using their hostages as human shields, may force some of the captives to serve as suicide bombers.

“That’s one of the fears of our soldiers — they may let loose the civilians and force them to carry bombs,” Lorenzana said,

Meanwhile, Padilla said majority of the residents of Marawi City could not return to their homes yet.

Only those who live outside Marawi and in towns surrounding Lake Lanao may go home, using alternative routes.

“So to Marawi residents, I want to inform you that it does not apply to you. Do not return to your homes yet because there’s a big risk or danger that you may face. We want you to go home without putting your life at risk,” Padilla said.

Displaced Marawi residents may instead stay at transitional shelters that Task Force Bangon Marawi is erecting on an 11-hectare private property in Sagunsungan village.

“We have an 11-hectare area and we may identify other areas that may be suitable for transitional shelters. It depends on the size and standards that will be approved. Then, that’s the time we can determine how many will benefit on the transitional shelter area,” he said.

The government has listed 104,000 affected families.

Fighting erupted in Marawi between government troops and the Maute Group after government raided the hideout of militant leader Isnilon Hapilon on May 23. The conflict has prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.