Indonesian military patrols after an explosive occured in Marawi city (Photo: VNA)Jakarta (VNA) –Indonesia is attempting to evacuate eleven of its nationals who have fled from aconflict area in southern the Philippines, said National Police Spokesman InspectorGeneral Setyo Wasisto on May 29.
After intense clashesoccurring between the Filipino army and Islamic State (IS)-linked insurgents inMarawi city on Mindanao island, all of the Indonesian citizens are in a goodcondition, he noted.
According to theConsulate General of Indonesia in Davao city and the Philippine police, theeleven people are in the Philippines legally to spread the teaching of Islambut do not have any involvement with the IS group.
Immigration OfficeSpokesperson Agung Sampurno confirmed that they had notified local authoritiesabout their activities at the Abu Bakr As-Siddiq Mosque in Barangay BasakMalutlut village.
When the clasheshappened, they were immediately evacuated to another mosque near a policestation and are now under the protection of the police, Agung added.
The Immigration Officeand Indonesian Consulate General urged them to return to their country, butthey said they were still considering what to do next, Agung noted.
Last week, thePhilippines declared an emergency status in the country’s second largest island,Mindanao, following intensified fighting between its army and IS-linkedinsurgents.
The fight began whenthe Philippine military and police were attempting to capture the militant AbuSayyaf group leader, Isnilon Hapnilon. However, before detaining Hapnilon,another militant group linked to IS, Maute, raided the city.
The Philippinemilitary has claimed that about 31 terrorists had been killed during thefight.-VNA
VNA
