Siege of Marawi

Marawi Clash 2017
Part of the Moro Conflict
Date May 23, 2017 (2017-05-23) – Ongoing Location Marawi, Philippines
Belligerents
Philippines	Maute group Abu Sayyaf
Commanders and leaders
Rolando Joselito Bautista	Isnilon Hapilon (ASG)
Units involved
Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippine Army Philippine National Police	unknown
Strength
unknown	50 in Marawi; at least 500 in Camp Ranao
Casualties and losses
2 soldiers killed 1 police officer killed 12 soldiers wounded	unknown

Philippine government security forces launched an offensive in Marawi, southern Philippines on 23 May 2017 to capture Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf, after receiving reports that the terrorist leader was in the city to possibly meet with militants of the Maute group. A deadly firefight erupted when Hapilon's forces opened fire at the combined Army and police teams and called for reinforcements from the Maute, an armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and who are believed to be responsible for the 2016 Davao City bombing. At least 500 Maute militants attacked Camp Ranao and occupied several facilities in the city, including the Marawi City Hall, the Mindanao State University, a hospital and the city jail. The group also occupied the main street in Marawi and torched the St. Mary's Cathedral, the Ninoy Aquino School and Dansalan College.

Operation

The Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that the fighting in Marawi was due to an operation conducted by the military in coordination with the Philippine National Police, contrary to earlier reports that the clash was initiated by the militant groups. Government security forces received reports that a group of Abu Sayyaf fighters led by Isnilon Hapilon were in Marawi to possibly meet with their Maute group counterparts.

Residents of Marawi reported the presence of and armed group within their locale and after the AFP verified the information, the military launched a "surgical operation". Firefights between government forces and militants began at approximately 2:00 in the afternoon. The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network reported that the clash occurred in the Basak Malutlut area of the city. Maute group fighters occupied the Amai Pakpak Hospital and ordered the PhilHealth employees out of the facility. The fighters allegedly replaced the Philippine flag hoisted in the hospital with the Black Standard used by the Islamic State group.

The 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army stationed at Camp Ranao was attacked by at least 500 Maute group militants.

The whole city is on lockdown as several buildings were set ablaze and power and communication lines were shut down due to the hostilities. Roads leading to Marawi were blocked by both government security forces and Maute militants.

Civilians were reported to have been abducted by the Maute group, including a priest and several parishioners of the Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians as the group demanded that the government stop its offensive against them.

Government troops rescued Wednesday at least 42 teachers who were trapped inside a building during an attack by Maute terrorists.

Response

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao following the clash at 10:00 in the evening of 23 May 2017. The state of martial law will last for 60 days. Duterte also decided to shorten his diplomatic visit to Russia. Vice President Leni Robredo called for unity as government troops continue to engage in a firefight against a local terrorist group in Marawi City.

Reaction

Social Media

Prayers flooded social media amid reports of local terror group Maute's takeover and burning of public and private facilities in Marawi City, Tuesday afternoon with the hashtag #PrayForMarawi trending on social media. Amidst unconfirmed reports of beheading and kidnapping, PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said in a press briefing that “We appeal to the public na yung mga postings sa (that those postings on) social media, be limited to what they know what they see,”.Numerous Filipino TV personalities have expressed their reactions to the ongoing clash between the government forces and the Maute terror groups in Mindanao. Some of the Pinoy celebrities also called for unity despite the division in political alliances.

Religious Sectors

The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Wednesday asked for prayers after Maute terrorists took hostage a priest and some parishioners in Marawi City. The CBCP President also asked the government forces to "make the safety of the hostages a primordial consideration" while ensuring that the law is upheld.

Economical Effects

Financial markets weakened on Wednesday. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index was down 0.42 percent to 7,779.73 in early trading.

International

The British government warned its nationals to avoid traveling to western Mindanao, including Marawi City where clashes are still ongoing between government troops and Maute group terrorists.

Reactions to the Declaration of Martial Law

President Duterte's declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao region was met with polarized views from the citizens.

Public Figures

Some lawmakers from Mindanao expressed their views on the the president's declaration of martial law. Mindanao lawmakers led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Wednesday, May 24. that the declaration of martial law in Mindanao is justifiable, given the other security problems faced by the region. Surigao del Sur 2nd District Representative Johnny Pimentel shared the same sentiment. He said martial law will help address his province’s longstanding "insurgency problem". Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles, who called the crisis in Marawi as a “clear case of rebellion," said martial rule will help confine the fighting. Alvarez and Nograles also noted that the 1987 Constitution has safeguards against abuse in relation to martial law.

Business Sector

Investors will monitor closely how Duterte will use martial law to fight the long-running extremist problem in the south, analysts said. “Uncertainty forces you to become more conservative,” BPI Securities research head Haj Narvaez told ANC’s Market Edge with Cathy Yang. “I would expect some downward pressure probably in the next 1 to 2 weeks as investors digest and try to collect more information and see if this situation in Mindanao can be controlled,” he added. Tycoon and philanthropist Washington Sycip said the President cutting short a foreign visit due to security worries was "not the publicity that we need. I think worldwide, the word martial law is not the best thing."