By Rene Acosta and Elijah Felice E. Rosales
THE military provided on Sunday four hours of “peace corridor” for humanitarian workers to move trapped residents away from the conflict in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, as casualties from both sides and civilians continued to rise in the raging conflict.
As of Saturday night, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that at least 120 terrorists, 38 soldiers and 20 civilians were killed in the continuing fighting. More than 70 soldiers were wounded. The soldiers have also recovered at least 90 firearms.
The AFP also said 1,271 civilians have been rescued.
Military Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the “humanitarian pause” implemented and observed by security forces from 8 a.m. to 12 noon last Sunday, allowed rescue workers to secure and move civilians away from the conflict zones.
AFP Spokesman Restituto F. Padilla Jr. and Presidential Spokesman Ernesto C. Abella also said in a news briefing over a local radio program the white flag was meant to “allow the entry of humanitarians from local government units, non-governmental organizations and civil-society organizations, in order to reach trapped residents and those needing assistance in the area of conflict.”
“It’s a humanitarian pause,” Padilla said, adding it is a lull period coordinated with the State’s armed forces as approved by the chief of staff.
The initiative was reached upon by the government, led by Bangsamoro Peace Panel Chairman Irene M. Santiago, with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, considered the country’s most dominant Islamic rebel group, with Central Mindanao, where Marawi City is located, known as its bailiwick.
Abella, however, clarified the military did not approve entry into high-risk areas to avoid putting humanitarian workers in danger and any possibility that might complicate the situation.
“To enable rescue workers a window of four hours, Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, provided for a peace corridor,” Arevalo said, adding the initiative was approved by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año.
“This shall serve as an avenue where Marawi residents trapped in this conflict caused by the terrorist Maute-ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] can be moved to safer grounds with the benevolence of our well-meaning and concerned citizens and peace-inclined organizations,” Arevalo added.
While thousands of residents have been moved away from the conflict areas in Marawi City, the government and even private rescue and relief groups have reported that thousands of civilians were still caught in the middle of the firefight between security forces and the Maute Group.
Arevalo admitted the peace corridor may also benefit the terrorists by giving them a reprieve.
“This might entail some operational risks to the security forces, as the Maute-ISIS Group is also being accorded some sort of a reprieve during the lull,” he said. “But these initiatives are necessary and called for to allow safe passage to the residents adversely affected by the terrorist affront to our security and sovereignty.”
Arevalo added the military implemented the reprieve, as it gave importance to the lives of civilians trapped in the clashes.
“The AFP places premium to the lives and limbs of noncombatant civilians victimized by this terrorist group that has threatened and openly, directly and notoriously challenged [the] government and its security forces,” he said.