Militants take hostages in southern Philippines

Philippine authorities on May 24 said Islamic extremists had taken a Catholic priest and others hostages at a cathedral in the southern city of Marawi on the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines.
Militants take hostages in southern Philippines ảnh 1President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo: EPA/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine authorities onMay 24 said Islamic extremists had taken a Catholic priest and others hostagesat a cathedral in the southern city of Marawi on the island of Mindanao insouthern Philippines.  

Gunmen entered the church and seized theReverend Chito Suganob alongside more than ten churchgoers, said ArchbishopSocrates Villegas.

He added that they threatened to kill thehostages if the government forces besieging them are not recalled.

The incident came after President RodrigoDuterte declared martial law in the southern region of Mindanao, an operationalarea of several Islamic militant groups, on May 23 because of the militants’insurgency in Marawi, a mostly Muslim-populated city of 200,000 people.

The violence in the city erupted on May 23after the army raided the hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, a commander of the AbuSayyaf group and leader of a branch of the Islamic State (IS) group in thecountry. 

Over 100 gunmen responded to army forces bysetting fire to buildings, attacking soldiers and flying IS flag, according toDefence Secretary Delfil Lorenzana.- VNA

VNA

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