MARAWI CITY - As state forces battled Maute rebels, septuagenarian Rolando Monsato was holed up in his home's bathroom, fervently praying to survive the ordeal.

Without proper food and potable water, Monsato relied on bananas and toilet water for days, until military forces brought him to safety Tuesday.

A visibly frail Monsato said he had not eaten for 5 days and was hiding inside a comfort room when soldiers passing by his house saved him.

Another resident trapped for 5 days inside the warzone rescued by military, ABS-CBN assisted in taking him out of conflict zone. pic.twitter.com/75QYrqCFS9

— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) May 30, 2017

Monsato was only among hundreds trapped in Marawi, where military and police troops are fighting off Maute rebels.

The violence began Tuesday when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest terrorist Isnilon Hapilon.

Most of the city's 200,000 residents have fled since militants torched several buildings and battled state forces, but 2,000 remain trapped in areas controlled by the militants, according to Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesman for the provincial crisis management committee.

The fighting, which has killed at least 100, has prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law.

• MORE STORIES: Marawi siege, martial law in Mindanao

OTHER SURVIVAL STORIES

A senior citizen and his son, a person with disability, were also rescued.

Haji Ali Magarang, 72 and his 44-year-old son, Hasan Hudin Haji Ali had been trapped for 5 days with nothing to eat before their rescue.

In the nearby barangay of Lumbac Madaya Poblacion, the military also saved at least 10 other residents, who braved the firefight and walked to the Marawi City Hall.

Atleast 10 residents rescued by military in Lombac Madaya Marawi that were trapped for five days inside warzone. pic.twitter.com/85m3iM7wCA

— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) May 30, 2017

Medical teams checked on the residents, who were immediately given food and water.