Marawi siege: Philippine militants ‘stockpiled food and weapons’

So-called Islamic State flags have been seen in Marawi city

Islamist militants who have overrun parts of the Philippine city of Marawi have prepared for a long siege, officials said.

Security forces have been trying to flush out the gunmen since they attacked the city two weeks ago.

The militants are hiding in tunnels and basements with stockpiles of food and weapons, military officials said.

The conflict has killed at least 170 people, including 20 civilians, and more than 180,000 residents have fled.

Hundreds of civilians are believed to still be trapped with few supplies.

The government, which has been conducting airstrikes, had earlier claimed it had “made gains” in the battle, but has yet to fully retake the city.

Senior military officials told reporters that they believed the militants were hiding in an extensive network of underground shelters, built years ago.

“There are underground tunnels and basements that even a 500-pounder (bomb) cannot destroy,” said Maj Gen Carlito Galvez, head of the military command in the Western Mindanao region.

Government and military estimates on the number of militants left in Marawi have ranged from 40 to 200.

Military spokesman Lt Col Jo-ar Herrera told AFP news agency that these buildings contained at least a month’s worth of food, as well as weapons such as machine guns.

The gunman had also collected ammunition and provisions from the city after ransacking Marawi’s jail and armouries, said presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella who was quoted in The Philippine Inquirer.

When the conflict first broke out, officials had said fighters from the Maute group, linked to the so-called Islamic State, stormed the city after an attempt by Philippine troops to capture Hapilon.

The Maute group is named after founders and leaders Abdullah and Omar Maute.

BBC