Gunmen claiming to have links with the Islamic State group threatened to kill hostages, including a Catholic priest, who were taken from the southern Philippine city of Marawi May 23. President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the entire Muslim-majority region of Mindanao late May 23, but ucanews.com reported that many, including church leaders, characterized the imposition of martial law as an overreaction.
Initial reports received by ucanews.com said Father Teresito Suganob, vicar general of the Prelature of Marawi, and several staff of St Mary’s Cathedral, which was set on fire, were taken hostage. The gunmen also forced their way into the residence of Bishop Edwin de la Pena of Marawi.
Duterte placed all of Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 33 cities, roughly a third of the country, under martial law for a period of 60 days. Mindanao is home to an estimated 20 million people. “I’ll be harsh,” said Duterte. “I have to do it to preserve the Republic of the Philippines,” he said, even as he assured Filipinos “not to be too scared.” Redemptorist Father Amado Picardal, who works with basic ecclesial communities and the bishops’ conference, said, declaring martial law across Mindanao while only Marawi was attacked “is either idiotic or an excuse to expand dictatorial control.”
A Catholic archbishop has given his blessing to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in a region of the Philippines as long as human rights are protected.
Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz said that the government needs to step up its efforts to restore peace and order to the besieged city of Marawi where Islamic State-linked militant groups have torched buildings, hoisted Islamic State flags, seized 14 Catholic hostages and beheaded a member of the police.
The archbishop warned Marawi’s residents to be careful and to “cooperate” with the military, the news service of the Philippine Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP), reports.
Five soldiers, two policemen and 13 militants have died in the three days of fighting, according to authorities.
Abu Sayyaf and Maute have been blamed for bombings, attacks against government forces and kidnappings in the Philippines. They have also beheaded hostages.
Photos posted on social media by Marawi residents showed armed men roaming the city with the black flags of ISIL.
