Military denies Cotabato City put on lockdown

A military official has belied reports that Cotabato City has been put on lockdown due to the alleged presence of ISIS terrorists there.

"The reports of a lockdown are not true, and have no basis for the declaration on it," Capt. Arvin Encinas, public affairs chief of the 6th Infantry Division, said in a statement Tuesday.

Encinas said authorities in Cotabato City remain on heightened alert to ensure peace and order amid the martial law declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte in the entire Mindanao.

"The [Joint Task Force] Central being the lead agency in the maintenance of peace and order, and law enforcement operations in the Joint Area of Operation with the active support of PNP are still on heightened alert and are the on top of the situation," he said.

Cotabato City is located about 157 kilometers away from conflict-stricken Marawi City, where government forces have been fighting the ISIS-inspired Maute group since May 23.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said at least 191 Maute members were confirmed killed since the clashes broke out.

On the other hand, 58 were killed on the government side, including the 13 Marines killed following a 16-hour firefight in Barangay Lilod Madaya last week.

At least 21 civilian fatalities were reported, while more then 1,600 remain trapped in Marawi City.

Meanwhile, Encinas called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities at security checkpoints.

"The public need to be reminded again not to allow themselves to be used for disinformation," Encinas said. "The public should not be alarmed and fear with the misinformation yet be vigilant at all times."

"Likewise, the public are encouraged to be patient and cooperative with authorities especially in all established checkpoints," he added. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News