An armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) on Tuesday clashed with government troops in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
1:45p.m. – A joint operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police was launched in Marawi City to capture terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel. Hapilon is believed to be the Islamic State’s (ISIS) leader in Southeast Asia.
2:28p.m. – The firefight between government troops and the Maute group is heard by residents in Barangay Malutlut, Marawi City.
4:34p.m. – A black flag was raised in front of the Amai Pakpak Hospital. The flag is believed to be of ISIS.
6:10p.m. – Police Supt. Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 10, confirmed the clashes in Marawi City. Based on an initial report, one cop was wounded in the firefight.
6:35p.m. – Police visibility in Cagayan de Oro downtown area heightened following the attack in Marawi City by alleged members of the Maute group.
Police said they will intensify checkpoints in Iligan City and in Talakag, Bukidnon which is a gateway route to Lanao del Sur to make sure the tension won’t escalate.
7:28p.m. – National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the AFP is in full control of the situation. Esperon said they are updating President Rodrigo Duterte, as reports arrive from the Philippines. He said that the military has four injured soldiers.
9:13p.m. – Senior Supt. Rolly Andaya, deputy regional director of PNP ARMM, confirmed that Dansalan College and Marawi City Jail are on fire. Andaya did not provide further details whether the buildings were deliberately torched by Maute members or set ablaze during the encounter. PNP officials are no longer answering queries as of the moment.
9:45p.m. – In an interview with ANC Live, Año said the situation is under control and the 8 soldiers were injured.
11:00p.m. – President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in entire Mindanao at around 10 p.m., presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing in Moscow.
Martial law will be in effect for 60 days. Duterte will leave Russia at 10 p.m. Moscow time to return to Manila.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said 2 soldiers and one police officer were killed, while 12 others were wounded in ongoing clashes in Marawi City.
Lorenzana said the Maute group has torched St. Mary’s Church, the Marawi City Jail, the Ninoy Aquino School, and Dansalan College.
Republished from ABS-CBNNewsd
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