(Eagle News) — Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra confirmed on Tuesday that a firefight was ongoing between the military and armed rebels in the city.
The mayor could not confirm reports however that the rebel group involved was the Maute group, and that the group had raised the Islamic State flag at a local hospital.
“Meron pong mga area na mayroong presence of this group na di pa naaabot ng authorities dahil gumagawa sila ng action plan. That’s why we are coordinating with them,” he said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
He said communication lines were so far still functioning.
There were no reported casualties so far, he said.
“We are appealing to the public na wag masyado magbigay ng di pa validated na information. Sa aking mga constituents, dun nalang sa kanya kanyang bahay para sa safety nila. Still, government is under control of the government,” he added.