(CNN Philippines, May 28) — Eight bodies were found in a ravine only a few hundred meters from a military checkpoint along the Iligan-Marawi road in Brgy. Emie Punud, Marawi City on Sunday.
Authorities have yet to identify the bodies, but sources who claim to know the deceased said they include bakery workers for a rice mill, and workers and a professor from a paramedic college in the area.
The sources, who for security reasons refused to be named, said the deceased were fleeing to Iligan City at 6 a.m. when their vehicle was stopped by some 20 armed men — allegedly Maute members– near a bridge in Mapandi, Marawi City.
The victims, who were a mix of Christians and Muslims, were reportedly asked to recite Muslim prayers. Those who were not able to recite them were taken by the armed men.
The victims were traveling with Muslims who had tried to protect the Christians by teaching them lines from Muslim prayers. However, the victims– including some Maranaos– allegedly failed to recite them because they froze when blocked by the armed group.
A police officer who was the first to respond at the scene said the killings happened Sunday morning.
Military authorities have yet to confirm if the armed men are members of the Maute group.
Eight other bodies found
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson BGen. Restituto Padilla said the military has yet to receive a complete report regarding the incident.
However, he mentioned a separate incident where eight other bodies were found along a road 300 meters from Mindanao State University in Marawi City.
Padilla said the military recovered on Saturday the bodies of of four men, three women, and a child, who were similarly gunned down.
He added, the military has recovered the bodies and asked the local government to locate relatives of the deceased.
Clearing operations ongoing
The deaths come amid the clash between government troops and the Maute Group in Marawi.
Following an attack on the city by Maute forces last Tuesday, military troops have led clearing operations against the terror group in the city.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017.
Local government authorities told CNN Philippines they are working to rescue more than 2000 people who remain trapped in the conflict zone.
