Military observes 8-hour truce in Marawi City for Eid’l  Fitr

War-torn Marawi City woke up early Sunday morning without the sounds of gunfire and bombs from airstrikes as the military observes a self-imposed "humanitarian pause" to give Muslims time to solemnly welcome Eid'l Fitr.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez of the Western Mindanao Command told dzBB early Sunday morning that the whole city was "completely silent" and that no deployment of forces has been done since Saturday night. 

"Our troops only consolidated at our strong points. There was no deployment of military assets as security forces maintained an 'active distance' –no provocative movements," he said.

"Ngayon totally walang putukang maririnig ngayon. This would give way to the  6 to 8 a.m. hours of prayers na hiniling ng mga kapatid nating Muslim. Pero ang ginawa namin hanggang 2 p.m. at least, to give them also the chance for their festive lunch at 12 noon," Galvez added. 

On Saturday, the military decided to impose a "humanitarian pause" in its offensives against ISIS-inspired Maute group for eight hours on Sunday to allow Muslims in Marawi City to peacefully observe the religious feast of Eid'l Fitr.

Earlier, the military suggested that the truce was to start at 6 a.m. and will run for eight hours, until 2 p.m. Sunday.

But Galvez clarified that any movements of the enemy that would threaten civilians and military positions, the pause will be lifted immediately.

"We hope the truce will be sustained," he said, adding that the military is at a "tactical disadvantage" as the result of the pause.

However, Galvez made assurances that the enemy would not have a chance to slip out of the city during the ceasefire. 

 Quoting a military official, a report from Reuters said that some 300 civilians are still trapped inside in the city as fighting enters its second month.

At least 369 people have been killed during the month of hostilities, a quarter of them security forces and civilians, since Islamist militants occupied parts of Marawi on May 23. —LBG, GMA News