Timeline of the Marawi Siege, Humanitarian Crisis and Rehabilitation
May 23, 2017 – January 2019
May 23, 2017
Members of Islamic State-inspired Maute group clashed with government forces and raised a black flag with an ISIS logo in front of the Amai Pakpak Hospital. Local priest Fr. Chito Soganub and other civilians were taken hostage by the group.
In response, President Rodrigo Duterte, who was in Russia at the time, placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.
May 24, 2017
Members of Islamic State-inspired Maute group clashed with government forces and raised a black flag with an ISIS logo in front of the Amai Pakpak Hospital. Local priest Fr. Chito Soganub and other civilians were taken hostage by the group.
May 24, 2017
Massive civilian displacement occurred as a result of the growing tension, starting in the early morning of 24 May.
120 civilians used as human shield were rescued from Amai Pakpak hospital.
May 25, 2017
LaSurECo (Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative) was taken over by militants. Firefights took place at Sarimanok area near the Provincial Capitol. Philippine Air Force launched airstrikes against militants. About 6 foreign nationals affiliated with militants were killed.
Marawi City placed under State of Calamity.
May 26, 2017
Solicitor General Jose Calida said the Maute group have foreign members, with Indonesians and Malaysians fighting alongside the terrorists.
Air strikes started hitting residential structures to deprive cover for militants. Airstrikes were used on Maute sniper positions.
May 27, 2017
Ramadan in Marawi became a sad and painful one with locals forced to flee their homes.
AFP and PNP-SAF personnel began house-to-house clearing operations. Child warriors as young as 10 years old discovered among the militants
Inter-agency Regional Command and Coordination Center (RCCC) created
May 28, 2017
19 civilians, including women and children, killed after 5 days of armed confrontation
Authorities estimate 2,000 residents still trapped in militant-controlled areas
May 29, 2017
The Palace signs Arrest Order No. 1, ordering the arrest of more than 100 Maute members for the crime of rebellion.
This is the first arrest order issued “pursuant to martial law” in Mindanao.
Death toll has reached 100 14 hostages escape militant captors Militants reinforced by BIFF members.
May 30, 2017
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman said 84,600 individuals have been displaced due to the clashes.
A video posted on the Facebook page of Bisaya News shows Fr. Chito Soganub from the Prelature of St. Mary in Marawi City, appealing to Duterte to withdraw “forces away from Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, and to stop the airstrikes, your air attacks, and to stop the canyon.”
2 bridges still road-blocked by militants 18 high-powered firearms, uniforms and black flags recovered by Marines from clearing operations.
8 militants were killed.
May 31, 2017
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported that 11 soldiers were killed while 7 others were wounded after an aerial attack mistakenly hit government troops.
90 percent of Marawi reclaimed by AFP.
8 militants surrender to government troops
Duterte approved the creation of a “peace corridor” or a secure space to ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian groups, spearheaded by the implementing panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also said their fighters have been positioned within and around Marawi City ready to help fight the Maute.
June 1, 2017
The justice department announced more than 100 members of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf bandits charged with murder, kidnapping, and espionage have been ordered arrested by the government. They were also placed on an immigration lookout bulletin.
The AFP revealed that a government airstrike mistakenly killed 10 soldiers and wounded seven other troops in Marawi City.
Defense secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana said eight foreign terrorists believed to be members of ISIS were among those killed in clashes in Marawi City.
Lorenzana also set the first deadline for the Marawi crisis — on June 2.
DND revised estimate of militants from 100 to 500. 280 militants have fled the city, mixing with civilians in neighboring towns
June 2, 2017
AFP spokesperson BGen. Restituto Padilla said the deadline set by Lorenzana could not be met.
He said: “Deadlines are relative to the amount of resistance that still exists and the threat in the area.
June 4, 2017
4-hour “peace corridor” facilitated by MILF; 179 trapped civilians rescued. Total civilian casualties increased to 38
June 5, 2017
The military said it has rescued about 1,500 civilians from the clashes, but 500 are still trapped.
Duterte also offered a P10-million bounty for Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, and P5-million bounty for each Maute brother, Abdullah and Omar.
June 6, 2017
The head of the Maute clan was apprehended at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.
Cayamora Maute, father of Maute brothers and terrorists Omar and Abdullah, was apprehended in a van that was stopped by Task Force Davao at a checkpoint.
A video of terrorists allegedly plotting the siege in Marawi was also recovered by the military.
June 8, 2017
Authorities arrested former Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic for rebellion, but he denied the allegation.
Communist rebels deployed New People’s Army fighters in Marawi, responding to Duterte’s call for help.
Lorenzana ordered the arrest on charges of rebellion of 185 persons with links to terror and rebel groups. This was the second arrest order in connection to the Marawi crisis.
June 9, 2017
Ominta Romato “Farhana” Maute, the mother of the Maute terrorist leaders behind the attack on Marawi City was arrested in Masiu, Lanao del Sur.
She was arrested along with 2 other injured Maute group members after their vehicle was intercepted in Brgy. Kormatan, Masiu town.
A group of 13 Marines, including 1st Lt. John Frederick Savellano died in a firefight in Marawi City. The 29-year-old soldier led the team which earlier recovered nearly P80-million worth of cash and cheques from a house in Marawi City.
American Special Forces deployed to Marawi on advisory role
June 12, 2017
The Philippines paid tribute to the brave men and women who died defending the people and the city of Marawi with a tribute video from Malacañang and the military. At the time, 58 government troops have been killed, including Savellano.
Soldiers, policemen, government employees, volunteers, and civilians also raised the Philippine flag and sang the Philippine national anthem while gathered at the capitol of Lanao del Sur for the June 12 rites.
June 13, 2017
The Palace confirmed it knew of the Maute group’s plan to takeover Marawi prior to the attack on May 23.
The armed forces launched #OgopMarawi to extend help to their comrades and displaced families.
June 15, 2017
The justice department charged Ominta “Farhana” Romato Maute, former Marawi mayor Fahad Salic, and nine other individuals with rebellion.
Adam Harvey from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who was covering the Marawi crisis, suffered a minor injury after a stray bullet hit his neck.
June 19, 2017
Officials said 11 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of up to P250 million, drug paraphernalia, and high-powered firearms were seized by the military in a house it believed to be a Maute group stronghold.
Total number of soldiers killed in action raised to 62
1,637 trapped civilians rescued.
June 25, 2017
The military suspended offensives against Islamic State-inspired extremists for 8 hours in Marawi Citys to observe the end of the Muslim holy month.
The “humanitarian pause” was observed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 26, 2017
Vice President Leni Robredo visited Marawi City evacuees who are currently staying in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.
The vice president turned over 3 sewing machines from private donors as the community she visited had a livelihood of making clothes and hijabs.
June 28, 2017
President Rodrigo Duterte issued Administrative Order No. 03 which created Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), an inter-agency task force for the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the city of Marawi and other affected localities.
June 30, 2017
The Protection Cluster headed by UNHCR released its first assessment report on the Marawi crisis:
“The displaced population, particularly those who are in host communities (95 percent), continue to be faced with mounting protection concerns such as the unrecognition of informal settlements, congestion in the evacuation centers, reported cases of acute diarrhea among children, lack of identification, lack of prioritization of persons with specific needs in the relief assistance, and the lack of information dissemination strategy for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), among others.”
2 Australian surveillance planes begin two week operations over Marawi City.
July 4, 2017
The Supreme Court affirmed Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao with 11 justices voting to uphold the President’s declaration. Three others voted to limit the declaration to Marawi City, the conflict zone while a lone justice, meanwhile, voted to nullify the proclamation altogether.
Dansalan College retaken by AFP Total firearms recovered since start of clearing operations reached 410.
July 7, 2017
The Protection Cluster headed by UNHCR released its 2nd assessment report on the Marawi crisis:
“The National Emergency Operations Center (led by DSWD) continues to function as the central coordination hub for government and humanitarian responders. The different sectoral clusters have also been convened on a regular basis under the national coordination structure. Task Force Bangon Marawi, a multi-agency task force created under Administrative Order 3 issued by the President, is currently establishing its operational mechanism to focus on the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi.”
July 12, 2017
2 soldiers and 11 others injured in 2nd friendly fire by Phil. Air Force.
July 14, 2017
The Protection Cluster headed by UNHCR released its 3rd assessment report on the Marawi crisis:
“TFBM established its operations center within the Provincial Capitol grounds of Marawi City…
July 20, 2017
In an unannounced trip, President Rodrigo Duterte visited Marawi City for the first time, fulfilling his promise to set foot in the conflict zone.
Throughout the siege, Duterte made a total of 7 visits to the war-torn city, the last of which was on Tuesday, Oct. 17 to declare the city’s liberation.
July 22, 2017
Congress extended martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31 on the President’s request. A total of 261 legislators approved the extension while 18 rejected the proposal.
July 25, 2017
Duterte said he needs P30 billion to complete the P50-billion trust fund for the families of troops killed in the Marawi crisis.
July 29, 2017
Sen. Manny Pacquiao visited troops who were then slugging it out with Islamic State-inspired terrorists in Marawi City. The senator thanked and cheered the soldiers for pursuing their mission.
July 31, 2017
Another government air strike missed an enemy target, resulting in the injury of 11 soldiers and the death of 2 others. The military said the air strike caused several structures to collapse on the group of soldiers.
August 4, 2017
Duterte visited Marawi for the second time.
August 13, 2017
The National Emergency Operations Center said the number of “bakwits” or internally displaced persons in Lanao del Sur and nearby provinces has reached hundreds of thousands.
August 14, 2017
Dozens of suspected Maute members claimed they were told by their recruiter that they were to join the MNLF.
August 22, 2017
The Protection Cluster headed by UNHCR released its 4th assessment report on the Marawi crisis:
“The Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) issued a memorandum on July 26 deactivating the National Emergency Operations Center and the Response Cluster, led by DSWD. Leadership and responsibility in responding to the continuing humanitarian need of IDPs, while not explicitly stated, is apparently taken over by Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM). A Transition Conference was held in August 13 where DSWD officially handed over leadership over humanitarian, early recovery and rehabilitation response for Marawi City to TFBM.”
Classes reopened at the Mindanao State University (MSU), which Islamic State-linked terrorists held during the early days of their rebellion in Marawi City.
August 24, 2017
Duterte visited Marawi for the third time, this time he gets up close in the main battle area. Military sources said he was given “a live target,” referring to a Maute terrorist.
The military also retook Marawi’s Grand Mosque from the Maute group. The mosque, which sits at the heart of Marawi’s downtown, was used as a sniping nest against government forces. Maute fighters also holed up in the mosque with their hostages.
August 25, 2017
Military forces gained control of the Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the strife-torn city of Marawi. The mosque was used as one of the main hideouts of terrorists led by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.
August 27, 2017
Cayamora Maute, the father of 2 men who led the deadly siege of Marawi, passed away after being rushed to the Taguig-Pateros Hospital. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the Maute patriarch was already in “critical condition” before he passed away.
September 1, 2017
Authorities said three soldiers were killed and 52 others were wounded during a clash with the Maute group on the eve of Eid’l Adha in Marawi.
Armed Forces spokesman BGen. Restituto Padilla said military operations have entered the “final push,” and fighting was expected to intensify.
The Western Mindanao Command said military has retaken the strategic Banggolo or Bayabao bridge, one of the three strategic bridges in Marawi.
September 5, 2017
The United States government pledged $15 million or roughly P730 million for relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi City and its surroundings.
September 11, 2017
Duterte visited Marawi for the fourth time.
September 17, 2017
Fr. Chito Suganob, a Catholic priest held captive for months by the Maute group was rescued by state forces after they recovered the Bato mosque in Marawi City.
September 18, 2017
The military retook the strategic Bato Ali Mosque, then one of the Maute group’s strongholds. The Mosque was strategic for Maute fighters due to its proximity to a shopping center, where they looted food supplies. It was also near the Lanao Lake, where fighters could escape quickly.
Duterte visited Marawi for the fifth time and showed a matrix exposing the source of money used for the Marawi crisis.
September 22, 2017
The military reclaimed the Raya Madaya Bridge, better known as Masiu Bridge—a strategic link within the vicinity of Agus River and Lanao Lake.
On this day, the military also announced that terrorists control an area of less than 10 hectares in the city.
October 1, 2017
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian vowed to push for the inclusion of the Marawi rehabilitation fund in the 2018 national budget.
Military missed target date to end war on October 1.
October 2, 2017
Duterte visited Marawi for the sixth time.
October 7, 2017
Civilians rescued from the Maute terrorists told the military several hostages are still left in Marawi, with Joint Task Force Marawi saying there may still be 60 hostages.
October 9, 2017
After multiple deadlines it has failed to meet, the military gave itself a new one-October 15.
October 14, 2017
The military said they are still hunting 48 Maute fighters.
October 16, 2017
Isnilon Hapilon, and Omar Maute, top leaders of the Maute group, were killed in a military assault early morning.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the whereabouts of Hapilon and Maute, who were holed up in a building in Marawi City, were divulged by a female hostage who managed to escape.
October 17, 2017
President Duterte announced the liberation of Marawi City from terrorist clutches, more than 4 months since the crisis began.
Duterte’s announcement comes a day after terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by government troops in a military assault.
A task force for the rehabilitation of Marawi has been ordered created by the President with an initial allocation of P20 billion. The government has estimated the rebuilding of the city to take around 2 to 3 years.
October 19, 2017
President Rodrigo Duterte and Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla confirmed the death of Malaysian militant Dr. Mahmud Ahmad.
Ahmad was a former Islamic Studies professor who had been identified as an ISIS recruiter. The military said he is not only connected former Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon to ISIS, but also funded the Marawi crisis.
The military also started pulling troops out of Marawi.
October 20, 2017
A total of 288 soldiers who fought terrorists in Marawi returned home.
October 21, 2017
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed Hapilon is dead, after the DNA from a body retrieved in Marawi matched Hapilon’s. Officials have yet to announce DNA results for Omar Maute.
Lorenzana said the same verification process will be applied to cadavers of other suspected terrorists.
Offensives against the remaining Maute terrorists in Marawi could end by Sunday, the military said.
October 23, 2017
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the termination of all combat operations in Marawi.
October 29, 2017
The city government of Marawi facilitated the first Kambalingan last October 29, with at least nine barangays initially opened.
January 24, 2018
The fourth Kambalingan continues, as barangays Kilala, Paridi, Boganga, Ambolong, Boto Ambolong, and Tuca Ambolong returned to their communities in Marawi City.
An estimate of another 2,000 individuals are allowed to come home after nine months in evacuation centers and other places of refuge.
April 1 – May 10, 2018
The first Kambisita was launched which allowed displaced families to visit their homes and retrieve their personal belongings in the most-affected areas (MAA) for 3 days per sector.
October 30, 2018
Ground-breaking ceremony of Marawi City reconstruction and rehabilitation program in Marawi City.
February 14, 2018
Demolition of 400 houses in MAA began.
