(Eagle News) — Civilian residents of some areas of Marawi City were evacuated to a military camp, following an intense encounter between military forces and reported members of the ISIS-linked Maute group.
At least 500 civilians, including children, had been ordered to leave their homes near the areas of encounter in at least one barangay, Bgy Datu Saber, where a government hospital, Amai Pakpak Medical Center, where ISIS militants had been seen carrying the ISIS flag.
A civilian who was among the evacuees told Eagle News Service that the encounter happened at around 1 p.m. Tuesday. They were then ordered to evacuate at around 4 p.m., when government forces — combined units of police and military personnel — pounced on the ISIS group.
“Nagsimula po ang enkwentro kaninang ala-una po ng hapon,” said the resident of Datu Saber.
He said there were also encounters in two other barangays in Marawi City which the ISIS-linked militants had also entered.
He said the office of Philhealth in Marawi City was also one of the areas targeted by the ISIS rebels.
A civilian source said that the ISIS-linked militants entered the Amai Pakpak Medical Center and raised the ISIS flag there.
