AFP ready to respond to attacks during 'humanitarian pause'
June 25, 2017 | 2:00am
A military helicopter hovers by a mosque on May 29, 2017 as government troops battle with Muslim militants who continue to hold their ground in some areas of Marawi. The military has declared a "humanitarian pause" in operations for Eid’l Fitr. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, file
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military said it is ready to resume offensives in Marawi City if Islamic State-inspired terrorists still holed up there attack civilians or troops during a pause in operations.
Gen. Eduardo Año, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, approved what the government called a "humanitarian pause" Sunday on the recommendation of Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief.
"We declare a lull in our current operations in the city on that day as a manifestation of our high respect to the Islamic faith,” Año said in a statement to allow Muslims to observe Eid’l Fitr in peace.
Eid’l Fitr, also locally known as Hariraya, is a feast marking the end of the month-long period of fasting for Ramadan.
Marawi is the country's only Islamic city and is in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Despite the pause in operations, the military is ready to protect civilians and soldiers in the part of Marawi still held by terrorists from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.
Galvez said the humanitarian pause will be lifted immediately if the security of government forces is jeopardized, if the safety of civilians is compromised, or if the militants start shooting.
In case of attack, troops deployed in Marawi are authorized to defend themselves, he said.
A humanitarian pause was also declared on June 4 to allow volunteer rescue teams to enter the city and lead trapped residents out of the besieged city. They managed to rescue 179 civilians but two soldiers and a civilian were reportedly hit by sniper fire during the halt in operations.
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