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2,000 trapped as fighting rages in Marawi

MARAWI — Two thousand frightened civilians were trapped yesterday inside a southern Philippine city where troops were battling Islamist militants, the authorities said, as the death toll from almost a week of fighting neared 100.

Philippine marines walking to the frontline to retake control of some areas of Marawi city yesterday. About 2,000 of the city’s 200,000 residents remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants. Photo: AP

Philippine marines walking to the frontline to retake control of some areas of Marawi city yesterday. About 2,000 of the city’s 200,000 residents remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants. Photo: AP

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MARAWI — Two thousand frightened civilians were trapped yesterday inside a southern Philippine city where troops were battling Islamist militants, the authorities said, as the death toll from almost a week of fighting neared 100.

The military intensified a bombing campaign on parts of Marawi on Mindanao island, 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 initial fighting prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on Tuesday across the southern third of the Philippines, to quell what he said was a fast-growing threat from terrorists linked to the Islamic State (IS) group.

Most of the city’s 200,000 residents have fled because of the fighting, but 2,000 remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants, said Mr 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,” he told AFP. “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 airstrikes.”

The police yesterday outlawed guns in Mindanao and suspended all weapons permits.

Fierce battles took place yesterday as ground troops engaged Maute fighters with heavy gunfire and artillery. Plumes of smoke were seen on the horizon and helicopters unloaded rockets on rebel positions.

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 Lieutenant-Colonel Jo-ar Herrera.

An AFP photographer saw eight bodies dumped off a bridge on the outskirts of Marawi yesterday, 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 tally of civilian deaths.

Additionally, 15 soldiers, two policemen and 61 militants have died in the fighting, said the authorities. This brings the 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 veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of the IS.

America regards Hapilon as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and has offered a bounty of US$5 million (S$7 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. The fate of those hostages remains unknown.

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

The President over the weekend said he was prepared to enforce martial law for as long as was necessary to end the terrorist threat, and even ignore constitutionally mandated safeguards such as Supreme Court and congressional oversight. AGENCIES

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