Three government troops (2 soldiers and a policeman) were killed while 12 others were wounded in clashes with members of the IS-linked Abu Sayyaf and the Maute terror groups in Marawi City that started on Tuesday afternoon.
In a televised press briefing from Russia, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Armed Forces will send more troops from Manila and Zamboanga to Marawi City on Wednesday.
鈥淪everal troops from neighboring units have joined them. Tomorrow we will bring more troops from Manila and Zamboanga,鈥� he said.
Lorenzana also confirmed circulating reports of burning in St. Mary鈥檚 Church, Ninoy Aquino School, Dansalan College and Marawi City Jail, as well as several houses surrounding these facilities.
The terrorists have also occupied some establishments in Marawi City, including the government-run Amai Pakpak Hospital, city hall, city jail and parts of the Mindanao State University compound.
鈥淭he Maute also occupied the main street, Quezon street, as well as two bridges leading to the city,鈥� he said.
The entire Marawi City was pitch black, according to Lorenzana, who advised residents to stay in their homes.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no light. There are Maute snipers all around, so the troops are still on holding [mode]. Several elements have joined them from neighboring units and tomorrow morning we are bringing more troops from Zamboanga and Manila,鈥� he said.
Quoting reports from Army 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista, he said that there were no civilians roaming around the city and they were all inside their houses.
鈥淎ng sinasabi namin eh stay in their homes, huwag muna magkalat-kalat sa paligid ngayong gabi dahil wala nang ilaw at maraming snipers ang Maute dun nag-aabang, baka mapagkamalang sundalo (What we鈥檙e telling the residents is stay in their homes, don鈥檛 loiter in the streets tonight because there is no electricity and the Maute has many snipers lying in wait. The people might be mistaken for soldiers),鈥� Lorenzana said.
As of 8:30 p.m., 鈥渟poradic firefights鈥� continued in parts of Marawi City, the AFP said in an earlier statement.
The clashes stemmed from a report receved by the military that Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, was in the area.
Hapilon reportedly left Western Mindanao a few months ago to establish a province or 鈥渨ilayat鈥� in Lanao del Sur.
President Rodrigo Duterte, while on his visit to Russia, has declared martial law in Mindanao for 60 days.