Iligan remains open to evacuees – Army colonel

LEAVING MARAWI:  Terrified residents flee the city to escape the gunfight between government troops and the Maute group. (FILE PHOTO BY JEOFFREY MAITEM / INQUIRER MINDANAO)

MARAWI CITY — The military has denied reports that a lockdown has been enforced in Iligan City where most of the residents of Marawi City are seeking shelter.

Col. Alex Aduca, chief of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, has announced that Iligan City remains open to evacuees.

“We want to clarify that access to Iligan City is still open. It’s just we are intensifying our security operations,” Aduca said.

“We have provided containment areas so that we can process them properly. They are very much welcome. We have designated areas for them,” he added.

Aduca, citing information from evacuees and ground troops, said the Maute and Abu Sayyaf men were already withdrawing.  “And because they have relatives who are evacuees, they are joining in the influx. Hard to identify those sympathizers,” Aduca said.  SFM/rga

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