CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - Public utility vehicles intended to
transport residents and students stranded in Marawi City, where the military
and a local terror group have engaged in a firefight since Tuesday afternoon
were not allowed to enter the area due to safety concerns, a Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) official said Thursday.
Aminoden Guro, LTFRB-10 regional director, said nine buses were
supposed to go to Marawi Thursday morning to ferry those who are still in
hiding in the Islamic city, but were advised by local government officials not
to proceed as gun battles were still ongoing.
The buses were provided by the Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. and Super 5
companies.
Aside from that, Guro said they were informed that several improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) were planted by the Maute Group in some parts of the
city and these could put the lives of both rescuers and evacuees in jeopardy.
Guro said he and LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada, who flew in from
Manila, had met with Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia, Iligan police chief
Senior Superintendent Leony Roy Ga and disaster risk reduction and management
officers of the two provinces of Lanao and Iligan, to appraise them of the
situation in Marawi.
“Based on their assessment, it’s not yet safe going to Marawi,” he
said, adding that the rescue operation is expected to be conducted this
Saturday when the city will be cleared of insurgents and IEDs.
He added that even other groups, like the Duterte’s Kitchen, that want
to extend assistance to the residents were not allowed to enter Marawi City.
(Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)
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