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Militants associated with a terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG, is prohibited in Russia) who attacked the Marawi city on the Philippine island of Mindanao, took hostage a Catholic priest and about 10 members. About it reports The Independent.
The President of the Catholic bishops Conference of the Philippines Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that the Islamists threaten to kill hostages, “if they are opposing government forces will not be withdrawn”. The priest appealed to the Filipinos with a request to pray for the captives, and the government — to do everything possible to ensure the safety and release of hostages.
On 22 may, the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte in connection with large-scale terrorist attack ordered to impose martial law in the province of Mindanao, as well as urgently interrupted the visit to Russia and returned home.
“If there is need to impose martial law for a year, this will be the year. If [will be restricted] a month, I would be happy. For my countrymen it’s not too scary. I’m going home. When I get back, I’m going to solve this problem,” said Duterte in a special video message.
In several southern Philippine Islands there are several terrorist groups. One of them was “Abu Sayyaf” was founded in the early 1990-ies, with funding from Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist organization “al-Qaeda” (banned in Russia). “Abu Sayyaf” is known for extortion, kidnapping, bombings and brutal executions. It is considered one of the most dangerous in the region. Swore allegiance to ISIS.