ENTERING the 24th day of fighting in Marawi City, we believe it will help public comprehension of the situation if we shift our perspectives on the struggle for control of the city and its attendant implication for the whole of Mindanao. Relatedly, we have seen it as a test for the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao. This was a single-minded IS operation to take control of a major Mindanao city as a stepping stone towards taking all of Mindanao. The struggle in Marawi is not just about one city and its future. In fact, it is a struggle for the entirety and the future of Mindanao.

Source: Manila Times June 15, 2017 16:07 UTC