Relief finally reaches refugees from south Philippines fighting

Filipinos in a refugee center outside the southern city Marawi received relief goods on Sunday, as fighting between the government forces and ISIL-linked militants entered a sixth consecutive day.

Refugees said they wanted the government to help all who are fleeing the fight in Marawi.

More than 7,000 civilians who fled their homes queued up for aid near the embattled Philippine city.

Government officials of a neighboring town distributed bags of rice, noodles and canned sardines to at least 150 families taking shelter in an open-air gymnasium 21 kilometers away from Marawi.

The violent siege by the Abu Sayyaf and Maute rebel groups in Marawi has left at least 48 people dead, including 11 members of the security forces and 35 militants, and prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on the entire island of Mindanao.

(CGTN)