Lanao Sur town under state of calamity

PIAGAPO, LANAO DEL SUR – The local government unit here has placed the municipality under a state of calamity following a military offensive against the Maute terror group between the municipalities of Piagapo and Balindong in Lanao del Sur.

The Philippine Army said that the military operation in Lanao del Sur province is in accordance to directives issued by President Rodrigo Duterte to destroy local terrorist groups.

The Army said the operations, which started midnight of April 21, resulted to a series of clashes between government troops and local terrorists early dawn of April 22.

Mayor Ali Sumandar said 416 families (1,848 individuals) from barangays Gacap, Tambo, Pantaon and Tapocan have evacuated. The four villages are located at the boundaries of Piagapo and Balindong.

"Nag-umpisa ang advance ng military around 1:30 a.m. Tumigil ng mga around 5 a.m. ang pagbobomba ng mga artillery ng military. After 9 o'clock (ng umaga) nagbakbakan ulit sila, huminto at nagbakbakan ulit ng 1:00 o'clock ng hapon," Sumandar said.

"Ang mga evacuees natin ay lumikas na nang Marawi, ang iba nasa kanilang mga relatives lang dito (sa Piagapo), ang iba ay lumikas na sa kanilang mga relatives sa Lanao del Norte at may mga naiwan sa evacuation center. Secured naman sila doon. We are taking care of them katulong ang provincial government," he added.

Sumandar said that Barangay Tapocan has the most number of affected families followed by Tambo and Gacap.

"Nang dumaan 'yung tropa...sa takot nila (mga residente), lumikas na din sila," Sumandar said.

Sumandar said no casualty was reported but four houses were damaged due to the intense bombings of the military to the area where the terror group have reportedly build their camps.

"On my part, sana mawala na itong Maute group kasi nakakasira sila sa pag-unlad ng isang bayan at saka sa mga tao. Kung meron man silang pinaniniwalaan na ideology, huwag nila gamitin dito sa amin. We are a very disadvantage municipality before at ngayon lang kami nakakatikim ng mga proyekto at development, huwag sana nilang sisirain," Sumandar said.