Manila: A humanitarian corridor will be opened in Central Mindanao to facilitate the delivery of aid to civilians affected by the ongoing fighting between government forces and the Mate in Marawi City.

President Rodrigo Duterte, following meetings with officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last Tuesday, has approved the establishment of a peace corridor spanning several dozens of kilometres from Marawi City to Iligan City.

Since fighting broke out on Tuesday last week, the government as well as aid agencies have had difficulty delivering assistance to affected civilians as sporadic fighting continues with checkpoints and snipers from both sides deterring the movement of combatants as well as people.

Irene M. Santiago, a member of the government’s implementing panel, of the Joint Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs), said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) had agreed to help out in opening up a humanitarian corridor in the conflict area so that the rescue of trapped civilians and humanitarian operations will be speeded up.

“President Duterte approved the idea of creating a ‘peace corridor’ to ensure the safety of the civilians and the delivery of the needed humanitarian aid for the displaced persons in the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City,” Santiago, who was designated by Duterte to oversee the humanitarian efforts, said.

The peace corridor aims to hasten the rescue and humanitarian operations for civilians still trapped in the conflict zone in Marawi.

“The peace corridor is a secure space where humanitarian groups may evacuate wounded and trapped civilians and retrieve dead bodies for burial. It is also a safe space for goods to reach hungry people in the rural areas whose access to Marawi’s markets have been cut off,” she added.

During his meeting with the Milf, Duterte also assured Milf leaders that the Martial Law declaration is not against the Milf, but to quell the rebellion of the Mate group and other Daesh-inspired terrorists.

It had been reported previously that some members of the Mate used to belong to the Milf.

Mate, which adheres to a strict interpretation of Sharia, is made up largely of members from Lanao provinces. It was founded by Abdulla and Omar Maute, who used to be with the Milf.

Incumbent Milf chairman Murad Ebrahim said Duterte had asked for the MILF’s help in providing necessary humanitarian assistance to civilians in Marawi City.

The Milf and government in 2014 had agreed to a Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a framework agreement that would serve as a road map for peace and prosperity for Moro areas, which, for years had been left out in economic development.

Among others, the CAB prescribes that Moro self-determination would be respected. However, three years after the pact was sealed an enabling law that would implement the terms of the agreement is yet to be passed by Congress.