MANILA – At least 500 civilians remain trapped in Marawi City, nearly a month since Maute Group-led terrorists laid siege to the bustling Islamic city in the South, the military said Wednesday.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the estimate was made by the local government.
The number could include hostages held by the Maute Group, but it remained unclear to the military how many of them are minors, given earlier reports of children and youth being among those trapped.
Padilla said clearing operations continue, meanwhile, in the remaining four barangays still under Maute Group control.
Sixteen major establishments have been cleared, and the military is currently clearing two more.
The clearing is taking a long time, as the AFP wants to ensure the lives of civilians and soldiers are not jeopardized, he said. “It [clearing] has to be painstakingly slow kasi kailangan ingatan natin yung sarili nating tao. Ingatan natin yung maaring naiwan dun na sibilyan, para yung magbubuwis ng buhay ay hindi ganap na mangyari [We need to take care of our people. We need to protect civilians who may have been left there trapped; we need to avoid fatalities],” explained Padilla.
The terrorists, who were estimated at 500 when the siege began May 23, have resorted to torching establishments in order to have a clear view of the battle areas and they can easily spot the survivors, added Padilla.
He repeated President Duterte’s revelation that the extremists are also using illegal drugs and this accounts for why they remain strong and energetic despite not having enough rest.
This, he said, is bolstered by the discovery of illegal drugs in places that the military had re-taken from the Maute Group.
“Many of them [extremists], to keep alert, are using drugs kasi sa tagal na ng panahon na nandyan sila, palagay niyo sa sobrang puyat na hindi ba kayo nagtataka kung bakit napakaalerto pa nila? Mapaka superman pa nila [They’re using drugs–because, considering the long time they’ve been there, mostly sleepless, don’t you wonder why they remain alert? Why they’re still like supermen]?” Padilla pointed out.
As of noon of Tuesday, June 20, the government has put the official numbers in the siege at:
• civilians killed by terrorists – 26
• civilians rescued – 1,645
• enemy killed – 268
• recovered firearms – 271
• government casualties (killed in action or KIA) – 66