Tag: Zamboanga

Philippines reconsiders bill for autonomous Bangsamoro

July 20, 2017 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Cotabato, Islamic State, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, Zamboanga

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) shakes hands with Al-Hajj Murad (L), chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as Ghazali Jaafar (R), vice chairman of MILF, looks on during a ceremony where a draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was submitted to the president at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on July 17, 2017. (Photo: Getty Images)

A new law that will govern the creation of a new autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines was submitted as a bill to the government on Monday (July 17) for approval by Congress. President Rodrigo Duterte received the draft “Bangsamoro Basic Law” (BBL), crafted by a 21-member commission that . . . Read More

Kidnapped Philippines priest pleads: ‘Please consider us!’

May 31, 2017 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Marawi, Maute, Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Teresito Suganob, Zamboanga

As the battle for the southern Philippines city of Marawi continues, a priest being held hostage by Islamist militants has appeared in a video, pleading for the President to “consider” hostages’ lives and stop bombing the city. A spokesman for the Philippines army dismissed the video, which was released yesterday . . . Read More

Philippines: former missionary freed

April 11, 2016 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Mindanao, Philippines, Zamboanga

Italian businessman and ex-missionary, Rolando Del Torchio, kidnapped in the Philippines last October, was released on Friday 8 April, . Police picked up the 57-year-old in the southern Philippine island of Jolo. After six months of captivity, he appeared much thinner and was immediately taken to hospital for a check-up. . . . Read More

IS allegiance reported in Philippines

January 11, 2016 Philippines Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro, Islamic State, Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Zamboanga

A video has emerged showing the leader of Abu Sayyaf (a militant Islamist group based around the islands of and in south-western Philippines) swearing allegiance to the leader of Islamic State, reports Rappler, a digital news website based in the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf leader is shown marching with other extremist . . . Read More

MNLF release pastor in Zamboanga

September 16, 2013 Philippines Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Zamboanga

The pastor taken hostage in Zamboanga last week is among seven released by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, although others remain captive. Fourteen more have escaped, and nine have been rescued. After eight days of fighting, the Philippines Air Force is firing rockets on MNLF fighters who have been . . . Read More

Pastor still detained in Philippines

September 11, 2013 Philippines Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Zamboanga

As the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attack on Zamboanga continues into a third day, the city’s mayor has said the total number of evacuees has reached over 3,000 families. An eyewitness reported: “We went to a missionary to bring rice, and then the commotion began. We went around the . . . Read More

Pastor taken hostage in Philippines rebel attack

September 9, 2013 Philippines Bangsamoro, Mindanao, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines, Zamboanga

A pastor has been taken hostage and several Christians are among the many injured in an attack by a rebel group in the Philippines. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is suspected of carrying out the attack this morning (September 9) in Zamboanga, Mindanao province, which left at least six . . . Read More

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