MSU pushes through with class opening amid intense fighting in Marawi, nearby town

The opening of classes at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City on Tuesday was marred by intense fighting between government forces and the Maute group in a nearby town.

Benjie Liwanag, in a report on radio dzBB, said the class opening at the university was initially postponed as fighting between troops and the local terrorists erupted in nearby Marantao town.

The fierce firefight between the terrorists and the troops started early and ended around 7 a.m.

Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi, said the firefight took place just three kilometers away from the MSU.

Liwanag said there are already at least 7,000 students staying in dorms inside the university.

Despite the fierce gunfight, the management decided to push through with the opening of classes although they had to delay it a bit.

Liwanag reported that the buses that were supposed to fetch MSU students from Iligan City and nearby towns that they had to cancel earlier, have been redeployed.

Meanwhile, checkpoints around Marantao town have been intensified amid the intense fighting.

The report added that airstrikes continue in Marawi City as troops continue to advance to the Maute group's position.

The military said on Tuesday that troops are hoping the conflict in Marawi City will be resolved by the end of the month.

The university's officials have been preparing for weeks for Tuesday's opening of classes.

On Monday, a "Balik Eskuwela" program was posted by the school on its Facebook page.

The school management also announced the creation of a steering committee for the celebration of MSU's 56th founding anniversary.

—ALG/KVD, GMA News