Civilians seek food, water as Philippine siege persists

MARAWI, PHILIPPINES— There was food and water — welcome commodities amid the frequent tears. There was, finally, safety, at least for the moment. And there were stories — stories of things that mothers and fathers hope never happen to their families.

At an evacuation centre outside the besieged Philippine city of Marawi on Wednesday, the results of a week of misery — a week of violence and uncertainty and long nights and promises of better tomorrows — were evident in the faces and hearts of the displaced.

“When you’re desperate, you will do everything to survive,” said Zia Alonto Adiong, a regional lawmaker who welcomed dozens of people, including children, who fled to safety after more than a week trapped inside Marawi.

About 130 people have been killed in the violence, which erupted last Tuesday after soldiers launched a raid to capture militant leader Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated leader of the Southeast Asia branch of Daesh, also known as ISIS.

But the operation went awry and Hapilon got away. Fighters loyal to him surprised government forces with their firepower, fending off airstrikes and house-to-house searches.

The unrest has boosted fears that Daesh’s ideology is gaining a foothold in the country’s restive southern islands, where a Muslim separatist rebellion has raged for decades.

Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Hapilon is believed to still be in Marawi.

On Wednesday, Philippine authorities said troops had cleared almost 90 per cent of Marawi city.

Padilla said 960 civilians had been rescued and an estimated 1,000 residents remained trapped. The dead include 89 militants, 19 civilians and 21 government forces, Padilla said.