Residents report seeing civilians dead in earlier bombardment
At least four houses, including the residence of Lanao Del Sur Rep. Jun Papandayan, were shattered into pieces after it was hit by military airstrikes on Saturday amid continuing operations against terror groups.
This as residents reported seeing civilians killed in a bomb drop on Friday. Government has yet to release official figures.
ABS-CBN caught on video images of the burning houses just minutes after the military dropped the bomb amid continuing offensives against the Maute group.
Sources said the houses in Marawi City were targeted because of the presence of Maute snipers.
After the bombings, residents were seen scrambling to get out of the city. Several rescue workers from the Provincial Capitol were fortunate to stay alive despite the heavy bombardment.
"Nagsasariling-sikap kami para lumabas baka bombahin sa amin, mapagkamalan kami na ISIS kami," said Kawi Ansari.
But more civilians are feared dead.
Some of those wounded who were able to escape in Friday’s bombardment told ABS-CBN that they saw dead bodies right after a bomb hit.
Kalil Rasdi Mapandi, who was hit by shrapnel in his head and body, said he saw at least three of his companions killed.
They were around 40 trying to escape the violence when a bomb hit their area.
Another wounded, Akiya Mapandi, said they were also with children, the elderly, and a pregnant woman.
"'Yung iba namatay, nakita ko sa motor punong-puno patay na yung driver. Tapos yung imam sa Marinaut nahulog dun sa canal," he said.
But Rasdi Mapandi feared that hundreds more were dead in their barangay as the bombardment continued, trapping some residents who were unable to get out of their houses.
They, however, could not tell where the bombs came from, but reported seeing something falling from above followed by the explosion.