Tag: Maute

One year after Marawi’s liberation from IS, thousands of Christians still displaced

October 19, 2018 Philippines Catholics, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte

Street in battle-scarred Marawi in a still taken from a video.

A year ago this month, the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, declared victory over Islamic State-linked militants in a battle for the city of Marawi in the south of the country. On 23 May 2017, militants belonging to the Maute group, an affiliate of Islamic State, had taken over . . . Read More

Philippines: Marawi conflict ‘not only about religion’, study finds

October 5, 2018 Philippines Bangsamoro, Islamic extremism, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Philippines

Last year’s conflict that displaced 98% of Marawi's population, was not only caused by religious violence, a study finds. (Photo: Getty Images)

A study by International Alert concluded that the armed conflict in the southern Philippines city of Marawi last year was not only about religion. The findings were released by the independent peacebuilding group in the capital, Manila, on Tuesday (2 October). “Evidence shows that membership in extremist groups was prompted . . . Read More

Philippines priest celebrates first year of ‘second life’ after escape

September 27, 2018 Philippines Bangsamoro, Islamic extremism, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, Teresito Suganob

Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob in a still taken from a video shortly after his release.

On the anniversary of his escape, the Catholic priest held hostage for four months by an Islamist group in the southern Philippines city of Marawi says he has since found a new lease of life, reports Catholic news agency UCAN. Father Teresito Suganob was one of around 200 people taken . . . Read More

Will new Muslim region in southern Philippines bring peace?

August 10, 2018 Philippines Bangsamoro, Cotabato, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has called on all communities in the southern Mindanao region to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that is to facilitate the creation of an autonomous Muslim region. During a ceremony on Monday, 6 August, he urged the local population “to actively participate in constructive discussions . . . Read More

Philippines: Bangsamoro draft law includes religious freedom provision

July 13, 2018 Philippines Bangsamoro, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Philippines, Religious freedom, Rodrigo Duterte

The siege of the city of Marawi in Mindanao by Islamists one year ago, displaced many people. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

The final draft of the law that will give greater autonomy to the southern Philippines region of Mindanao will include a provision allowing for religious freedom in the majority-Muslim territory, reports Catholic news agency UCAN. A panel of members from both the lower house and the Senate is expected to . . . Read More

Philippines parliament approves bill for autonomous Bangsamoro

May 31, 2018 Philippines Bangsamoro, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte

The Bangsamoro Basic Law is seen as key to ending decades of conflict and stopping the growth of Islamic extremism in the southern region of Mindanao where just last year the city of Marawi was attacked by a militant group. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Philippines parliament yesterday (30 May) approved a bill that will give greater autonomy to the southern region of Mindanao, as reported by Reuters. The approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is another step towards the creation a new autonomous territory called Bangsamoro, named after its ‘Moro’, or Muslim, . . . Read More

Philippines: Catholic priest, Marawi hostage for almost 4 months, tries to find healing

May 24, 2018 Philippines Islamic State, Kidnapping, Marawi, Maute, Philippines, Teresito Suganob

Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob in a still taken from an IS propaganda video posted on 30 May last year.

One year after Islamist militants stormed the southern Philippines city of Marawi and 8 months since his escape from his kidnappers, Catholic priest Father Teresito Suganob is trying to find healing for himself and his nation, reported UCAN. Father Suganob was one of around 200 people who were taken hostage . . . Read More

Philippines: Marawi, a year after Islamist siege, 50,000 still in temporary shelter

May 23, 2018 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Catholics, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Philippines

People in the battle-scarred Southern Philippines city of Marawi are trying to rebuild their homes and lives one year after the place was stormed by Islamist militants. On 23 May 2017, militants belonging to the Maute group, an affiliate of Islamic State, took over Marawi. In what followed, five . . . Read More

Marawi’s rebuilding yet to start, despite warning that defeating extremism depends on it

March 2, 2018 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Philippines, Southeast Asia

Four months after the battle ended over the southern Philippines city of Marawi, Muslim leaders have called on people to stop posting divisive information on social media. Rumours were spread via social media in recent weeks, saying that the Catholic cathedral, which was severely damaged during the conflict last year, . . . Read More

Philippines: Marawi hostage recalls escape from IS killers

January 23, 2018 Philippines Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Philippines, Teresito Suganob

Tuesday 23 May 2017 started like any other day for Henry*, a carpenter in the southern Philippines city of Marawi. He was working upstairs in his home when he heard a knock at the door. He left his tools in the sawdust and went downstairs. He opened the door to . . . Read More

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