Marawi main battle area still closed to returning residents

MANILA, Philippines — The main battle area in Marawi City, which covers 36 of the city's barangays, will remain closed to returning residents as clearing operations continue, the military said Friday.

Around 14,319 families or 71,595 persons have returned to their homes in 19 barangays in the war-torn capital of Lanao del Sur as of Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the military is establishing protocols before the internally displaced persons can return to their homes.

"I would like to make mention for the possibility of some residents to visit or inspect their places of residence as soon as our teams who are clearing the ground for IEDs and unexploded ordnance and other booby traps declare these areas safe or open for any possible visit," Padilla said in a press briefing.

Padilla admitted that the reason the areas in the main battle zone of the war-torn city remain off limits is the slow turnout of the military's clearing operations.

"Sana po nauunawaan ng ating mga kababayan dyan sa Marawi ang ating kinakailangan gawin upang ganap na masabi na ito'y maayos na at maaari na nilang balikan na walang hazard o patibong," Padilla said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has endorsed a recommendation for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The military has expressed support for the recommendation of the police to extend the declaration.

"As far as I am concerned, there is a recommendation to similarly support the recommendation of Philippine National Police," Padilla said.

On July 22, majority of the members of the Congress voted in favor of extending the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao until December 31.