DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Another casualty was hit by a stray bullet inside the Lanao del Sur provincial capitol in Marawi City on Wednesday afternoon.
Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson of the provincial crisis management committee identified the victim as Ismail Saripada, a utility worker who was hit by a bullet on his feet. Saripada was immediately rushed to Amai Pakpak Medical Center. Adiong said stray bullets rain down on the compound shortly before 4 p.m.
“Andaming bala pumasok dito,” he said.
Saripada was inside the capitol to get a pass to allow him to travel to Marawi City.
The provincial capitol was located across the Army headquarters which the military said was under constant attack of the local Maute terror groups.
Saripada was the second casualty of a stray bullet inside the capitol, where government forces, officials, media and evacuees are staying.
On Thursday last week, an Australian journalist covering in Marawi City was hit by a stray bullet from what is believed to be an M-16 on his neck. Reporter for Australian Broadcasting Corp Adam Harvey is already recovering after a surgery.
Adiong told Davao Today in an interview that they could not prevent people from coming in to the provincial capitol since it is where all functioning government agencies, including the crisis committee, operate.
Adiong said they are reminding the public to stay indoors when inside the capitol compound.(davaotoday.com)
