QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Vice-Governor Haron Akrasid Lucman, Jr. has reported that the situation in Marawi City is now under control.
“So far, it’s good. Kasi, for about three hours wala na kaming narinig na mga putok, except mga sporadic lang na putok. I think the military is now in control of parts of Marawi City,” the Vice Governor said.
In an interview with Net 25’s Agila Balita Alas Dose, Lucman said the military was also sending augmentation forces to help in clearing operations in the city.
“This morning may dumating na augmentation mula sa ating mga kasundaluhan and they were able to conduct clearing operations in the city,” he said.
As for the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, which was reportedly under siege by the terrorists, he said the patients and the doctors inside were not considered as hostages.
“In our information, nasa gate ang mga ISIS, hindi naman sila pumapasok sa loob. Yung mga pasyente marami nang nilipat sa Iligan, nagsilabas yung iba. Meron naman remaining doctors sa hospital kasi they are still attending their patients. Pero yung iba ay nagsilisan na,” Lucman said.
He also said that evacuation was ongoing even if the Marawi City Hall was under the city government’s control.
“Ang ating provincial government, and the Regional government under Governor Hataman, as early as mangyari iyon, nag set up ang government ng operational center para i-address ang mga pangangailangan dito sa Marawi City,” Lucman said.
