Red Cross plea: Spare civilians

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged combatants in Marawi City to leave civilians and their property alone amid the ongoing clashes in the northern Mindanao city.

“International humanitarian law remains applicable in this situation, even after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao,” said Pascal Porchet, head of the ICRC delegation in the country.

“People who may be arrested must be treated humanely and the ICRC will continue to monitor their conditions and treatment,” he added.

The ICRC official stressed that international humanitarian law limits the means and methods of warfare.

It also protects people who do not take part in the fighting such as civilians, medics and aid workers, and those who can no longer fight like wounded, sick, captured or detained fighters.

“These limits are particularly meaningful in populated areas, where the risk of harm to civilians and civilian objects, including essential infrastructure, increases,” Porchet said.

The ICRC managed to enter Marawi City on Friday even as government troops continued to clash with Islamist terrorists belonging to the Maute group.

The ongoing hostilities has led to the deaths of terrorists, government forces and civilians alike, the burning and occupation of several establishments and the taking of several hostages.

This prompted President Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law for 60 days.

On Friday, the international aid organization brought 1,000 water jugs to displaced families and helped bring 300 residents from Marawi City to evacuation centers in neighboring Saguiaran town.

In Iligan City, 40 kilometers from Marawi, the ICRC prepositioned medicine, antibiotics, dressing materials, injectable medication and intravenous fluids enough for 30,000 people over three months.