Signal to return to homes only for non-Marawi residents..
Residents flee Marawi City to escape clashes between security forces and Islamic State-inspired militants.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday clarified that the green light for residents to return to their homes apply only to those who live outside Marawi City.
“The opening of return of residents to their own abodes are for those who live outside of Marawi City itself,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said during the Bangon Marawi press briefing.
“Sa mga taga-Marawi na residente, 'wag muna po kayong babalik sa inyong mga bahay dahil malaki pa po ang danger na inyong haharapin,” he warned.
Padilla made the statement after Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. reported that some residents of Marawi tried to return to the besieged city amid continuing government offensives against a terrorist coalition led by the Maute group.
The AFP official said a resident who returned to Marawi was hit by a stray bullet. He said the victim was only injured but he still warned other displaced residents not to go back to the city yet.
“Kung magpupumilit ay baka mailagay sila sa alanganin," Padilla cautioned.
War-torn Marawi City has been under attack by Islamic State-inspired elements since May 23. President Rodrigo Duterte afterward placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law. He also lifted the writ of habeas corpus, allowing authorities to arrest individuals suspected to be involved in the attack without warrant.
The martial law was supposed to end on July 22 but the 17th Congress in a joint session unanimously voted to extend its implementation until the year’s end
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