ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Authorities here are bracing for a possible spillover of the fighting in Marawi City, where clashes started last May 23 between government troops and Maute terrorists that have left more than 200 people dead and over 200,000 residents displaced.
Lt. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the Army’s 1st “Tabak” Division, and Iligan City police director Sr. Supt. Leony Roy Ga assured Iligan residents that government forces have doubled their alert level and secured Barangay Suarez, the entry point from Marawi City that is some 35 kilometers away.
Iligan residents have remained vigilant but it was business as usual despite the tight security in the city.
Iligan City councilor Demosthenes Plando attended the 119th Independence Day celebration at city hall yesterday morning and told reporters that since it was a holiday, he and his staff would join a sing-along party.
Members of the Marawi City police displayed many Philippine flags around the city to commemorate Independence Day and boost the morale of soldiers fighting the Maute group.
Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra led flag-raising ceremonies for the Independence Day rites at the city hall quadrangle.
Residents displayed tarpaulins printed with the slogan, “Bangon Marawi, Kaya natin ito” (rise Marawi, we can do it).
Some residents, especially the elders, are organizing themselves.
“I am now organizing our group of elder residents in this city to protect our families,” said a businessman who asked not to be indentified. – With Roel Pareño