Latin America

IN PHOTOS: Death and destruction in Banggolo, heart of Marawi

Carmela Fonbuena

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

IN PHOTOS: Death and destruction in Banggolo, heart of Marawi
'Lost in words. It's beyond evil.'

MANILA, Philippines – Scattered bones, tattered clothes, a city charred beyond recognition.

These photos from Marawi show us the horror that Marawi has been through as gun battles between soldiers and terrorists reach their 6th week.

“Lost in words. It’s beyond evil,” said Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesman of the Crisis Management Committee who shared the photos from Banggolo on Thursday, June 29.

There used to be human flesh inside what looks like a blue shirt lying on the street. Now there are just bones holding up the cloth. The skull has rolled over toward the grasses. The body belonged to about a hundred civilian believed to be killed in the clashes

Another photo shows what appears to be what’s left of the bodies of 4 civilians.

Banggolo, the city’s financial district, is the site of the bloodiest battles between government troops and terrorists who pledged allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS).

It remains a war zone – despite the military’s repeated attempts to take control. (READ: Terror in Mindanao: The Mautes of Marawi)

This photo dump follows the retrieval of 17 bodies on Wednesday, June 28, also in advanced stages of decomposition. (READ: Bodies sprawled on the streets where the clashes began)

The fortified buildings of Banggolo were occupied by terrorists, giving the military little choice but to flush them out through airstrikes or burning.

The massive sweep ruined buildings to the ground, including the Pacasum Square. 

Used to fighting in the jungles, the Philippine military admitted difficulty in fighting enemies in an urban terrain. They have missed several self-imposed deadlines. (READ: Battle zone in Marawi: Urban warfare challenges PH military)

There’s a new deadline. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the clashes could end “in a week or two.” 

But locals, who earlier pinned their hopes on the deadlines the government issued, are afraid it is not going to be easy.

Muslim religious leaders from the Lanao provinces have called for a negotiation with the Maute Group. In desperation, they are pushing for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to intervene. 

  – Rappler.com

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!