Foreign journalist hit by stray bullet in Marawi

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — A foreign journalist covering the Marawi crisis suffered a minor injury after a stray bullet hit his neck on Thursday.

Adam Harvey from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation was inside the compound of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol — considered a safe zone — when a stray bullet hit him as he was taking photos of evacuees.

Harvey was immediately brought to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center for treatment. He now wears a neck brace.

Harvey, in tweets posted hours after the incident, said he is okay, but the bullet is still lodged in his neck.

He added he considers himself "lucky," as he shared a photo of his X-ray film.

Asked about the incident, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in his regular briefing that this was still being verified and simply reminded journalists covering Marawi crisis to remain objective.

"I think they should try to be objective as possible. And to see it in the context that this is really a... That this is basically an action of rebellion. And that they see it along that line, they report along these lines, that they are objective. Stay out of trouble," he said.

CNN Philippines Gerg Cahiles and Ina Andolong contributed to this report.