ARMM peace and order council readies response to Marawi clashes

LANAO DE SUR, Philippines — The security council of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has condemned attacks in Marawi City by the Maute terror group.

“We strongly condemn these acts of terror against the people of Marawi City. I swear to take necessary action immediately,” ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said late Tuesday.

Hataman is the presiding chairperson of the ARMM’s inter-agency regional peace and order council, whose members include the region’s police director, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, and Major Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Words may seem useless right now, as no words can express how we feel as we share in the fear and anger of our people there in Marawi City,” Hataman told The STAR via mobile phone Tuesday night.

Senior members of the ARMM’s peace and order council are now consolidating plans, via an online teleconference system, on how to respond to the situation in Marawi City.

“These acts of terror are happening in a historic predominantly Muslim city. People sowing terror and says it is being done in the name of Islam should be ashamed of what they are doing,” Hataman said.

He said residents of ARMM are one with Muslim communities in Marawi City.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in mainland Mindanao and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said fighting started Tuesday afternoon as security forces launched an operation against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who was reportedly going to link up with the Maute Group, a terror group. The government has said it is in control of the situation.

News reports and social media posts from residents have shown buildings on fire and black-clad militants on Marawi City streets.