Manila: The Philippines is set to start with the reconstruction of conflict-torn Marawi City, officials said on Thursday, however, government may have to continue enforcing martial law in affected areas.

During a forum in Manila, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the government is not likely to lift martial law at any time soon because it has to continue enforcing order in order to proceed with plans for the reconstruction of Marawi City.

“We have to put control to all of these things,” he said while pointing out that unlike natural calamities where structures are destroyed, political and social turmoil brought by violent extremism --- such as that espoused by Maute --- takes time for a city or locale to recover from.

When Maute-instigated violence broke out in Marawi last May 23, Maute gunmen burnt down government and private buildings including places of worship like mosques and churches. Government was forced to bombard certain areas of the Southern Philippines’ city in order to dislodge the Daesh-influenced militants. President Rodrigo Duterte had also ordered the whole of the Mindanao under a state of martial law in order to prevent the threat from militants from spreading to other areas of the country.

“We are now fighting a different thing — violent extremism,” Esperon said.

Esperon, a former armed forces chief, said the government had been compelled to use the military to “suppress violence” in Marawi City.

“It could turn out to be another Mosul,” he said as he referred to a city in Iraq which was occupied by Daesh.

Under the country’s constitution, the president can declare the country under a period of 60 days only, after which he needs to have the concurrence of Congress to extend such declaration.

Other than the cost on destroyed structures and property, the conflict in Marawi City have killed nearly 400 people over the course of five week.

According to armed forces Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, at least 44 civilians and 75 soldiers have died since the fighting started. A total of 303 Maute gunmen have been killed and 1,711 civilians have been rescued.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said they are currently drawing up a “masterplan” for Marawi City’s reconstruction and rehabilitation.

During a palace press briefing DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said experts will be utilising the latest urban planning measures in reconstructing the city.

“It will be utilising the latest in terms of urban planning, and it will be very efficient,” he said.

According to Villar the rehabilitation will not only cover short- and medium-term recovery, but also the longer-term objective of full reconstruction.

“We are ready to mobilise the resources of all agencies so that the rehabilitation of Marawi will be done at the soonest possible time,” Villar said.

Villar said the government is addressing the immediate needs of the tens of thousands of evacuees, with the DPWH particularly focused on upgrading the evacuation facilities.

Currently, the government plans put up a tent city as temporary shelter for Marawi residents while more permanent facilities are being constructed.