© Provided by GMA News Online A government soldier carries a boy who was rescued along with 20 others as troops continue to assault the remaining Maute gunmen in Marawi City on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Reuters/Romeo Ranoco
With their parents out of town, Mohammad Hamid was left with the crucial task of bringing his seven younger siblings to safety amid armed clashes between the military and Maute group members in Marawi City in southern Philippines.
In a Balitanghali report by JP Soriano on Wednesday, Hamid, 22, narrated how he had to ensure the safety of his brothers and sisters by fleeing the embattled city, parts of which the extremist group had seized last week.
"Ang sinisigaw na po... tumatakbo na po 'yung iba wala na pong tsinelas... tumakbo lang po kasi hanggang umabot po kami sa highway," Hamid said.
"Umiiyak lang po sila, tatlo po yung karga ko patakbo kami... Hanggang nakuha namin 'yung motor, sinakay ko po sila," he added. The report did not say why his parents had left town.
Hamid even shared that they had to go back to get their IDs because the military has been requiring them at checkpoints.
Hamid claimed minors were being forced to take up arms and join the extremist group in its fight against government forces.
"Binibigyan po ng armas para lumaban. Kung 'di ka po lalaban papatayin ka nila..." he said.
Clashes between government troops and the Maute group began on May 23 after the latter staged attacks in the city in response to the military's operation to go after Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, who was reported to be in Marawi.
More than 100,000 people have been displaced as of Tuesday, while the death toll already reached 104.
Military operations are currently focused on regaining control over the 20 percent of Marawi that is still being held by Maute group. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News