Thousands trapped in Marawi as fighting rages in Philippine city

The death toll from almost a week of fighting in Marawi nears 100.

A girl, who escaped the fighting in Marawi, waits for an aid package at the gate of the relief centre in Baloi, Lanao Del Norte, Philippines. Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

MARAWI, PHILIPPINES // Two thousand civilians were trapped inside a southern Philippine city where troops are battling ISIL-inspired extremists, authorities said on Sunday.

The death toll from almost a week of fighting neared 100.

The military intensified a bombing campaign on parts of Marawi, one of the biggest Muslim cities in the mainly Catholic nation, as it accused the gunmen of atrocities including murdering women and a child.

The fighting prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on Tuesday in Mindanao to quell what he said was a fast-growing threat from terrorists linked to ISIL.

Most of the city’s 200,000 residents had fled the fighting, but 2,000 remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants, according to Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesman for the provincial crisis management committee.

“They have been sending us text messages, calling our hotline, requesting us to send rescue teams but we cannot simply go to areas which are inaccessible to us,” Mr Adiong said.

“They want to leave. They are afraid for their safety. Some are running out of food to eat. They fear they will be hit by bullets, by air strikes.”

The military said that it would step up the bombing on Sunday.

“As much as we would like to avoid collateral damage, these rebels are forcing the hand of government by hiding and holding out inside private homes, government buildings and other facilities,” said military spokesman Brig Gen Restituto Padilla.

“Their refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical air strikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end.”

The militants have killed at least 19 civilians, including three women and a child who were found dead near a university, said regional military spokesman Lt Col Jo-ar Herrera.

“These are civilians, women. These terrorists are anti-people,” he said.

An AFP photographer saw eight bodies dumped off a bridge on the outskirts of Marawi on Sunday, with local residents identifying them as employees of a rice mill and a medical college.

It was unclear whether those eight were included in the military’s count of civilian deaths.

Fifteen soldiers, two policemen and 61 militants have died in the fighting, according to authorities. This brings the combined official death toll to at least 97.

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of ISIL.

The United States regards Hapilon as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and has offered a bounty of US$5 million for his capture.

The gunmen on Tuesday planted black IS flags, took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage from a church, and set fire to buildings. Authorities said Saturday the fate of those hostages remained unknown.

Mr Duterte and military chiefs have said most of the militants belong to the local Maute group, which has declared allegiance to ISIL and which the government estimates has about 260 armed followers.

Mr Duterte has said local criminals are also backing the Maute in Marawi.

* Agence France-Presse