TIMELINE OF EVENTS
May 23, Tuesday
4:48pm
“Hindi pa alam kung anong grupo pero marami armado nakaupo sa kalye.”
5:05pm
“Taga Marawi nagtext bigay alam mo daw sa AFP.”
5:13pm
“Hinala Maute Maute”
5:20pm
“Gipatay daw ang guardya sa amaipakpak ug hostage mga nurse pero wla pa mga sundalo asa kaha cla? c pd Oscar Nantes asa ka diay wla pa responde.”
5:23pm
“Eskwela simbahan sinunog.”
5:28pm
“Guerra na ngayon dito sa marawi nag babanatan na mga maute at sundalo.”
5:30pm
“May ilang sundalo lang ilan lang surprise attack hospital target nila.”
5:36pm
“Salamat bosing ibato ko dyan development.”
Tuesday, May 23 was when the local media started to receive word from Ely Barcelona, Mindanao Inquirer’s publisher, on how Maute entered Marawi. During those moments, Rey Langit coursed the messages to PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar and Sec. Bong Go the events that transpired. That night while he was in Russia, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law over Mindanao, and told the nation that he is coming back home.
During our interview with AFP Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, he informed us that their focus is now on the clearing operations in Marawi. They are systematically scouring through the streets of Marawi, to free hostages and clear the area of terrorists. There were still pockets of resistance remaining since the Maute group is out to protect their leader. As of Thursday, May 25, 18 more terrorists have been killed and 5 high powered arms were recovered. This brings up the number to 31 Maute members killed. On the side of the military, 39 were wounded and we’ve lost 11 in battle.
Brig. Gen. Padilla also added that they have conducted a surgical airstrike. These are done with care and precision to avoid further collateral damage. The civilian casualties was a group of christians that were tied and killed mercilessly. However this is still being verified. Aside from the airstrike, they have orders to fight non-stop. No Let-up operation against Maute terrorists, making it a priority to clear Marawi of these terrorists.