LOOK: Life under martial law in Marawi neighbor Iligan City | ABS-CBN
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LOOK: Life under martial law in Marawi neighbor Iligan City
LOOK: Life under martial law in Marawi neighbor Iligan City
Patrick Quintos,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 01, 2017 01:38 PM PHT
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Updated Jun 01, 2017 03:32 PM PHT
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ILIGAN CITY - Soldiers, military trucks and checkpoints have become a regular sight in this city just about 30 kilometers from conflict-torn Marawi, as martial law remains in effect in Mindanao.
ILIGAN CITY - Soldiers, military trucks and checkpoints have become a regular sight in this city just about 30 kilometers from conflict-torn Marawi, as martial law remains in effect in Mindanao.
This city south of the Philippines has been a place of refuge for most Marawi City residents escaping clashes between government forces and terrorists, where more than a hundred people, including at least 19 civilians have been killed.
This city south of the Philippines has been a place of refuge for most Marawi City residents escaping clashes between government forces and terrorists, where more than a hundred people, including at least 19 civilians have been killed.
Checkpoints mounted by both the police and military on different entry and exit points in Iligan City have been very strict, requiring passengers on almost every vehicle to come out for inspection.
Checkpoints mounted by both the police and military on different entry and exit points in Iligan City have been very strict, requiring passengers on almost every vehicle to come out for inspection.
Despite increased visibility of security forces in this city, residents continued to go about their daily lives, trying to go on business as usual but with a heavy heart.
Despite increased visibility of security forces in this city, residents continued to go about their daily lives, trying to go on business as usual but with a heavy heart.
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Lisa (not her real name), a businesswoman, said her relatives from Marawi City have been staying at their home here since the fighting erupted.
Lisa (not her real name), a businesswoman, said her relatives from Marawi City have been staying at their home here since the fighting erupted.
She broke into tears while sharing how sad she felt seeing her loved ones down, when they were supposed to be happy at the start of Ramadan.
She broke into tears while sharing how sad she felt seeing her loved ones down, when they were supposed to be happy at the start of Ramadan.
"Hindi ako nagtatanong pero alam ko worried sila. Gusto na nga nilang bumalik para i-check 'yung mga gamit nila pero mahirap ma-caught pa sila sa situation doon," she told ABS-CBN News last Saturday.
"Hindi ako nagtatanong pero alam ko worried sila. Gusto na nga nilang bumalik para i-check 'yung mga gamit nila pero mahirap ma-caught pa sila sa situation doon," she told ABS-CBN News last Saturday.
(I don't ask them questions but I know they are worried. Actually, they already want to go back to check on their properties, but it's really hard to get caught up in the situation there.)
(I don't ask them questions but I know they are worried. Actually, they already want to go back to check on their properties, but it's really hard to get caught up in the situation there.)
Lisa manages her husband's gasoline station in Iligan City. They usually open 24 hours, but because martial law has been in effect, they must close shop before 10:00 p.m., the start of the six-hour curfew.
Lisa manages her husband's gasoline station in Iligan City. They usually open 24 hours, but because martial law has been in effect, they must close shop before 10:00 p.m., the start of the six-hour curfew.
WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES 10 P.M.
Just like Lisa's gasoline station, other establishments like restaurants, cafes, pharmacies and other businesses usually operating round-the-clock or until late at night have to close early, usually by 9:00 p.m.
Just like Lisa's gasoline station, other establishments like restaurants, cafes, pharmacies and other businesses usually operating round-the-clock or until late at night have to close early, usually by 9:00 p.m.
Employees who live far from their workplace have to rush to get a ride home quickly as public utility drivers also hurry back to their garages.
Employees who live far from their workplace have to rush to get a ride home quickly as public utility drivers also hurry back to their garages.
At the Iligan City Police Headquarters, cops in full battle gear would get ready at 9:30 p.m. for the "rekoridos," or their nightly rounds on the city's busiest streets to remind residents of the curfew.
At the Iligan City Police Headquarters, cops in full battle gear would get ready at 9:30 p.m. for the "rekoridos," or their nightly rounds on the city's busiest streets to remind residents of the curfew.
An ABS-CBN News team who tagged along with the rekoridos saw people on foot or in their vehicles trying to beat the 10:00 p.m. curfew. As 10:00 p.m. neared, random police checkpoints began to appear on the streets.
An ABS-CBN News team who tagged along with the rekoridos saw people on foot or in their vehicles trying to beat the 10:00 p.m. curfew. As 10:00 p.m. neared, random police checkpoints began to appear on the streets.
The team caught up with cops conducting searches on vehicles passing by an intersection, where the night scene would have been alive if not for martial law.
The team caught up with cops conducting searches on vehicles passing by an intersection, where the night scene would have been alive if not for martial law.
PO2 Cryster John Biaoco, one of the officers conducting the searches, said this martial law was different from the military rule during the Marcos regime, as the implementation gave consideration to the people.
PO2 Cryster John Biaoco, one of the officers conducting the searches, said this martial law was different from the military rule during the Marcos regime, as the implementation gave consideration to the people.
"May iba galing sa trabaho so binibigyan namin ng consideration. Pag alas-10:00 na, sinisita. Pero pag may ID go," he said. "Pag 'yung mga nahuli namin na walang maipakitang identification, dinadala namin sa station."
"May iba galing sa trabaho so binibigyan namin ng consideration. Pag alas-10:00 na, sinisita. Pero pag may ID go," he said. "Pag 'yung mga nahuli namin na walang maipakitang identification, dinadala namin sa station."
(Some people are just coming out from work so we're giving them consideration. If it's 10:00 p.m., we'll still call their attention. But if they can present an ID, we'll let them go. But those who could not present any identification, we bring them to the station.)
(Some people are just coming out from work so we're giving them consideration. If it's 10:00 p.m., we'll still call their attention. But if they can present an ID, we'll let them go. But those who could not present any identification, we bring them to the station.)
The Iligan City Police said they would only hold curfew violators in the headquarters until morning, but explained that those rounded up are not detained.
The Iligan City Police said they would only hold curfew violators in the headquarters until morning, but explained that those rounded up are not detained.
Most of the residents said they were okay with the curfew so far, as they felt more secure amid the conflict in Marawi City. This even as some admitted that they would feel a little worried whenever they saw military trucks and soldiers around the city.
Most of the residents said they were okay with the curfew so far, as they felt more secure amid the conflict in Marawi City. This even as some admitted that they would feel a little worried whenever they saw military trucks and soldiers around the city.
Just last Sunday, as the Marawi clashes entered its sixth day, security forces enforced stricter searches for people coming from the conflict-stricken city, as reports surfaced that terrorists were trying to blend in with the evacuees going to Iligan.
Just last Sunday, as the Marawi clashes entered its sixth day, security forces enforced stricter searches for people coming from the conflict-stricken city, as reports surfaced that terrorists were trying to blend in with the evacuees going to Iligan.
Alex Aduca, chief of the Philippine Army's 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said evacuees would be sent to "consolidation and processing areas" as the military enforced stricter measures to prevent a spillover of the Marawi conflict.
Alex Aduca, chief of the Philippine Army's 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said evacuees would be sent to "consolidation and processing areas" as the military enforced stricter measures to prevent a spillover of the Marawi conflict.
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