Manila rushes aid to tired, hungry evacuees

Security around dams and power distribution networks that supply large parts of Mindanao tighened

The Philippines government has started rushing relief to Marawi City residents displaced by the fighting as security forces continue operations to dislodge Maute militants in the area.

Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said yesterday that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilised its assets and begun to provide food and other items to families affected by the fighting in Marawi City.

On Wednesday evening, an outpouring of humanitarian compassion was witnessed as residents of Iligan City, an adjacent urban centre located some 35 to 40 kilometres away, offered food and water to tired and hungry refugees.

The fighting broke out on Tuesday afternoon after gunmen from the Maute, a group that professes allegiance to Daesh, went on a rampage in parts of the city after government forces attempted to serve a warrant for the arrest of some of their members as well as Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who was rumoured to be in the area.

Gunmen wearing black shirts and their sympathisers freed more than a hundred inmates from the city jail including some of their members.

Atrocities come to light

Three days after the situation started, atrocities carried out by the militant group against residents began to come to light.

The militants had burned down the Saint Mary Cathedral in Marawi City and held hostage a priest, Father Chito Suganob. During the initial hours of the siege, Maute gunmen also held hostage teachers holding a seminar at the Mindanao State University in the city as well as several hospital workers.

A police official who was accompanying his wife to the hospital was shot and killed at a roadside checkpoint set up by the militants.

A report said seven people in a truck who were fleeing the area were executed.

As police and military operations continue, the government also strengthened security around dams and power distribution networks in Lanao del Sur which supplies electricity to a large part of the Mindanao island.