MARAWI CITY: More than 500 families in three towns of Lanao del Sur province were dislocated from their homes as the military intensified its offensives against the extremist Maute group that is trying to establish an Islamic State (IS) caliphate in the country.

Salma Tamano, Lanao del Sur provincial information officer, said a total of 532 families or 2,444 individuals were dislocated from their homes in Piagapo, Wato-Balindong and Marantao as they fled to safe areas and designated evacuation centers manned by police forces.