Cop killed, five soldiers hurt in Marawi clashes with Maute group

The military has placed its troops on red alert status in Marawi City as clashes erupted between government security forces and members of the Maute terrorist group.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said a policeman, Senior Inspector Freddie Solar, was killed in the clash.

At least five soldiers were hurt in the firefight according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"Sporadic firefights" continued to occur in the city as of 8:30 p.m, according to AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

Padilla said they were "acting on reports" that armed men have occupied a hospital "and some other buildings" in the city.

PO1 Hadji Ismael, duty officer at the Lanao Provincial Police Office, said the armed men took over the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, although a military official has belied this.

"There is no truth to reports that 250 to 300 men occupied it. But it's true that there is ongoing exchange of fire as of now in Barangay Basak," said Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the military's Western Mindanao Command, in the afternoon.

Raid on apartment

Earlier, clashes erupted after government security forces raided an apartment where 15 members of the Islamic State-linked Maute group were hiding, resulting in the death of a policeman and the wounding of five soldiers.

"We have enough troops and law enforcers on the ground as well as all the appropriate equipment to support our troops. We strongly urge the residents in these areas to remain calm and stay in their homes or evacuate to safer areas if they still can," said Padilla.

Lt Col. Jo-ar Herrera, an army spokesman, said the military was acting on information that Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, was among the militants hiding in the apartment.

The US State Department has a bounty of up to $5 million for his arrest.

The Maute and Abu Sayyaf have an alliance and are both linked with Islamic State, a source of growing concern for President Rodrigo Duterte, who has warned of the expanding influence of the militants in the Philippines.

Some residents fled Marawi when the fighting erupted and soldiers blocked off roads. Officials urged residents to avoid spreading rumours that rebels has seized a hospital.

Government troops have been intensifying offensives on the island strongholds of Abu Sayyaf and last month killed about 36 Maute group fighters when aircraft bombed their mountain lair in Lanao del Sur province. —with Reuters/KBK, GMA News