Fighting erupts after opening of ‘peace corridor’ in Marawi

Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra (Photo by the Philippine Information Agency)

MARAWI CITY – Fighting between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired terrorists erupted more than an hour after the “Corridor for Peace” opened at 8 a.m. Sunday.

The four-hour ceasefire was meant to give way to rescue efforts for civilians  trapped on the battle ground.

Mayor Majul Gandamra said they expected to rescue at least 1,000 trapped civilians

“We do not know who fired first,” Gandamra said of the fighting that started at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Agakhan Shareif, who was to lead the rescue efforts, said they were nearing Barangay Banggolo, where they will fetch trapped civilians, when an exchange of gunfire erupted.

“May mga [there were] snipers,” he said.

Regional Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, acting spokesperson of the provincial government, directed the rescue team to proceed to the capitol for safety./rga