It started this year on May 23. The so-called worst urban fight in the Philippines since World War II. The local news, PhilStar Global, called it “The “most serious terror event” in South Asia in the past 15 years”. As of September 4th, the reported casualties show that 639 militants have been killed, 9 captured, over 1,065 government forces wounded, and 68 civilians dead.
When the Philippines’ military decided to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the head of the Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group in the Philippines that has already pledged to ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They underestimated the total force of the group. Hapilon’s group freed the prisoners of a local jail, took over the local church by taking the priest hostage and his congregation. Consequently, taking control of Marawi City.
The Maute Group, a terrorist group dominate in Lanao del Sur since February 2016, have pledged to the Islamic movement in 2014. Hapilon is listed in the world’s most wanted terrorists by the US State Department due to the abduction and beheading of John Ridsdel, a Canadian businessman in April 2016.
Fights between government forces and militants started around 2:00PM. Maute fighters took over the Amai Pakpak Hospital, forcing all employees out. They allegedly took down the Philippine flag and put up the Black Standard flag used by ISIS (Note: An employee at the hospital denied this allegation and stated it never happened)
The entire city was put into lockdown. The Maute group set multiple buildings/houses on fire as many gunmen went into the town’s city hall, followed by 107 inmates escaping from the Marawi City Jail and the Malabang District Jail 39 after the attacks.
Between all the attacks the city started evacuating residents, consequently causing traffic on the highway to the next cities. During these attacks at least 11 civilians were killed with two identified as first-responders who were called to aid, nine that were on board a truck when they were stopped by Maute fighters and shot dead after their hands have been tied, and an officer was reported to be beheaded.
Because of this, President Duterte declared martial law (which means that the Philippines’ Military has direct control and all law in said place is under suspension) on the island of Mindanao in hopes of gaining control over the situation. The martial law is in effect until December 2017.
The entire situation itself has received major criticism from the national news – with alleged claims of abuse and sexual assault under the martial law by government forces. Though it’s important to help those in need right now at the pressing problem and deal with the alleged claims after the initial problem is dealt with. Nonetheless, it’s extremely important to bring awareness as the situation grows more and more dangerous. Behind everything else going on in the world the international media hasn’t covered much of this terrible thing happening in the Philippines.
Fast forward to now, three months later the fighting has exceeded expectations. Hundreds of people have been left as casualties to the siege and a hundred more Filipino’s, who call Marawi their home, remain captured in their own city. If you would like to donate to help those who were affected, click here. Donations are being used to help families with hygiene kits, non-food items, a learner’s kit and a learning space for school-aged children.
