Strict security imposed in Lake Lanao vs. Maute members

Aside from the ground troops in the main battle area in Marawi City, security measures in Lake Lanao were also intensified to ensure that members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group are unable to enter or flee Marawi City.

According to a report by GMA News' Maki Pulido on "24 Oras" on Tuesday, the combined forces composed of the Philippine National Police Maritime Command, Philippine Coastguard, and Philippine Navy are guarding the area. 

Lake Lanao is considered a "traditional nautical highway" used by locals to reach various towns in the province of Lanao del Sur.

The report said the lake was used by Maute matriarch Farhana Maute and 15 injured group members as escape route before they were captured in Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

Since strict security measures were implemented around Lake Lanao, there are no more reports of Maute members escaping through this route.

The task of guarding the lake and its environs is not easy, Pulido reported, because the soldiers have to deal with snipers almost everyday.

"Kasi yung effective range po ng sniper nila is 1.5," said SP01 Khahapudin Diamewn, PNP Maritime Command.

Task Force Lawa is positioned in front of the main battle area in Marawi City and they can see the burning buildings.

However, the military said not all the fire incidents in Marawi City were caused by the airstrikes.

"'Yun 'yung ginagawa ng mga terorista. Nag-iiwan sila ng molotov fuel bomb, ito 'yung mga pag sumabog 'to, nagke-create ng fire at ito 'yung taktika na ginagamit nila on the ground. Para i-block, mag-create ng obstacles sa mga troops natin," explained Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera.

The report added that some residents in the town of Marantao are starting to return to their homes. Pulido noted, however, that more than half of the houses in a village in Marantao is still empty.

"Nasa isip din namin 'yung takot pero sa Allah kami nananalig na siya na ang bahala sa amin," one resident said.

Fishing is the main source of income in the area but many residents avoided the lake when the fighting in Marawi City started.

On the 50th day of the armed conflict in Marawi City, the military said around 800 buildings have yet to be cleared to determine that there are no Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs left in these places. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News