Residents trapped as gunfire mars ceasefire at Philippines city

MARAWI CITY, Philippines, Jun 4: Thousands of civilians hoping to flee fighting in the besieged Philippines city of Marawi remained trapped today after a four-hour ceasefire to evacuate residents was marred by gunfire.
Only 134 were freed on Sunday, less than on previous days, despite government hopes that more than 1,000 would be able to leave a city battered by 13 days of intense fighting.
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte predicted the siege would be over within days despite fierce resistance by fighters aligned to Islamic State in the dense urban heart of the southern Philippines city.
“This will be over in about three more days,” Duterte said on Saturday after visiting a hospital in Cagayan de Oro where wounded soldiers were being treated.
“I will not hesitate to use every power available.
(Reuters)