The National Democratic Front of the Philippines reiterated its previous declaration that it stood firmly with the government to oppose and fight terrorism instigated by groups backed by the US government.
The military claimed that four suspected members of the New People’s Army including a front secretary were killed in an encounter with government troops over the weekend.
President Rodrigo Duterte said traditional leaders should have reported that the local terrorists are already doing a military buildup in Marawi City.
In the midst of the continued threats posed by local terrorists, local chief executives in Lanao del Sur want to fortify the security of their respective towns through the formation of local defense forces.
There will be no compromises to this year’s celebration of Kadayawan festival, a city official said.
Government troops on Saturday arrested a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group and a close escort of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Provincial Crisis Management Committee expressed gratitude to Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate and the rest of the National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission for the support they extended to the evacuees from Marawi and for their eagerness to enter the area to see the actual situation.
About 400 individuals from Marawi City and other neighboring cities have evacuated here in the city as Marawi crisis continues.
A looming humanitarian crisis is feared as the air and ground military offensives by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the ISIS-linked Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf continue in Marawi.
Australian reporter Adam Harvey is now out of harm’s way after a bullet of an M-16 rifle which hit him while covering the events in Marawi City has been taken out.
