Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 24) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is suspending military offensives against the Maute group from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 25 out of respect for the Islamic holiday of Eid’l Fitr.
The AFP said in a statement that it would be taking a “humanitarian pause” for the holiday, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, “as a gesture of our strong commitment and respect to the Muslim world particularly to the local Muslims of Marawi City.”
However, the military added that the pause will be lifted immediately if: (1) the security of troops is jeopardized, (2) the safety of civilians is threatened, and (3) if the enemy starts firing and anyone can exercise their right to self-defense.
The move comes after the province of Lanao Del Sur, the ad hoc joint advocacy group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government of the Philippines requested for a ceasefire at the end of Ramadan on June 26.
Marawi Crisis Management Committee Spokesperson Zia Adiong said he is hoping the ceasefire would be used to rescue trapped civilians in the encounter area.
The fighting began on May 23, when rebel forces composed primarily of the Maute group stormed Marawi City as authorities attempted to arrest former Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Read: Gov’t forces, Maute group clash in Marawi City
The AFP said Hapilon had been designated by international terrorist group ISIS as its “Emir” in Southeast Asia, with AFP Chief Eduardo Año saying on June 9 that the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group were planning to turn Marawi into an Islamic state.
Read: AFP chief: Rebels wanted to replicate Mosul in Marawi to get ISIS attention
Shortly after the fighting started, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over the whole of Mindanao.
Read: Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao
The President also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
Read: Duterte suspends privilege of writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao
This has allowed the military to conduct warrantless arrests on personalities connected to the rebellion, including the matriarch and patriarch of the Maute group.
Read: Mother of Maute leaders detained in Metro Manila – PNP
More than 300 people have been killed and some 200,000 residents have been displaced in the month-long Marawi conflict.
Joy amid bloodshed
The end of Ramadan is usually marked with festive and spiritual celebration among Muslims.
To celebrate Eid’l Fitr, evacuation centers in Marawi will hold simple celebrations for the displaced evacuees.
Read: Displaced Maranaos to mark end of Ramadan
The Lanao del Sur provincial government has also launched a fund-raising campaign for evacuees called “We are Marawi,” with the AFP as well as non-government organizations likewise calling for donations.
Read: Do more than #PrayforMarawi: Where to donate
Some 2,453 families affected by the crisis are taking shelter in 10 evacuation centers, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
On June 20, Duterte apologized to displaced residents for the what has happened to them since the siege started.
Read: Duterte to Marawi evacuees: I am sorry this happened to you
“Hindi ko man natapos ang Ramadan [I may not have finished Ramadan]. I would like to say to the Maranao people that I am very, very, very sorry na nangyari ito sa atin [that this happened to us].
Ready for anything
AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla told CNN Philippines on June 24 that the military would be ready for any attacks terrorist groups may launch after the Islamic holy month ends.
However, he said it would be unlikely that Maute forces would have the capacity to launch any large-scale activities based on their encounters in the past days.
“We do anticipate a small increase potentially, but based on the manner that which they have been fighting the last few days, they could be incapable of launching any bigger activities or engagements other than those that they have already carried before,” Padilla said.
“We’re ready for it and our troops are well in place to deal with any kind of heightened activities if they do have the capability to do so,” he added.
On June 22, officials from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia held talks aimed at boosting intelligence and information sharing among the three nations’ in their fight against extremism.
Read: PH, Indonesia, Malaysia hold talks to come up with concrete ways to fight extremism
The day after the talks, Año said there are 40 foreign terrorists in Mindanao, the majority of whom are Indonesians.
Read: AFP chief: 40 foreign terrorists in PH; more may arrive in coming months
“As we counted, about 20 Indonesians and the rest iba-iba. May Malaysians, may Saudi, may mga Yemen,” he said.
[Translation: As we counted, about 20 Indonesians and the rest are from different nationalities. There are Malaysians, Saudi Arabians, Yemenis.]
Meanwhile, martial law spokesperson for Eastern Mindanao Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said during a June 23 press briefing that authorities are not discounting the possibility that the terrorists have entered the country through airports and seaports.
He added this is why there is a need to enhance the security of the country’s southern backdoor because “it’s very porous.”
CNN Philippines’ Camille Abadicio contributed to this report.
