Philippine military says manhunt underway for bombing suspects
Manila, The Philippines Reuters A “massive” manhunt is underway for the attackers who bombed a Catholic Mass that killed four people in the southern Philippines, a senior military officer said on Monday, vowing to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice. Police are looking into at least two suspects they believe were behind […]
Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Philippine bombing
Manila, The Philippines Reuters Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing at a Catholic Mass in the Philippines on Sunday that killed at least four people and injured 50 others. The attack was carried out in a university gymnasium in Marawi, a city in the south of the country besieged by Islamist militants […]
Two years after siege, no return to normal for Philippine city
BangkokThomson Reuters Foundation Two years after pro-Islamic State militants laid siege to the Philippine city of Marawi, tens of thousands of people remain uprooted and rebuilding is slow, aid agencies said last week. The siege forced more than 100,000 residents from their homes in the predominantly Muslim city. Some went into transitional housing, built by […]
One year after Marawi’s liberation from IS, thousands of Christians still displaced
World Watch Monitor 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 23rd May 2017, militants belonging to the Maute group, an affiliate of Islamic State, had taken over Marawi. In the […]
Philippines’ Marawi conflict “not only about religion”, study finds
World Watch Monitor A study by International Alert shows that the armed conflict in the southern Philippines city of Marawi last year was not only about religion. Findings of the study, released by the independent peacebuilding group in the capital Manila on 2nd October, said that the war was not the result of a religious conflict. “Evidence shows that […]
Philippines priest celebrates first year of “second life” after escape
World Watch Monitor On the anniversary of his escape last week, 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. Fr Teresito Suganob was one of around 200 people taken hostage when Islamists stormed the city […]
In The Philippines, Mindanao Christians present ‘policy agenda’ for new Muslim region
World Watch Monitor Christian leaders have submitted a “Christian policy agenda” to the transitory body that will facilitate the formation of a new autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines, reports the Catholic news website UCAN. The agenda, put together after consultations last month in several areas set to become part of the new region, was […]
Fears new Muslim region in southern Philippines could spark Christian exodus
World Watch Monitor Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has called on all communities in the southern Mindanao region to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law that is to facilitate the creation of an autonomous Muslim region. During a ceremony on Monday, 6th August, he urged the local population “to actively participate in constructive discussions about the law”, which will […]
Churches body urged Philippines Government to address “worsening human rights situation”
The World Council of Churches has urged the Philippines Government to address the “worsening human rights situation and increasing violence and impunity in the country”. In a statement issued this week, the WCC’s Central Committee said they were “deeply alarmed by the escalating violence, extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses in the Philippines in […]
Catholic priest who was Marawi hostage for almost four months tries to find healing
World Watch Monitor One year after Islamist militants stormed the southern Philippines city of Marawi and eight months since his escape from his kidnappers, Catholic priest Father Teresito Suganob is trying to find healing for himself and his nation, reports UCAN. Father Suganob was one of around 200 people who were taken hostage by the Islamists when they stormed […]