The Maute group, an Islamic extremist group linked to IS, captured nine Christians, tied their hands together and shot them dead in Marawi city, according to the Mail Online. Images circulated online show the Christians lying dead face-down in the grass. Reports say villagers are too afraid to move the bodies because terrorists are still in the area. News of the murders comes just days after the same group captured a Catholic priest, Father Teresito Suganob, the church’s secretary, two working students, and a number of parishioners. The militants are holding their hostages at an undisclosed location. They also set fire to the cathedral in Marawi. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged the government to make the safety of the hostages top priority.
Escalating violence in the Philippines
Written by David Fletcher 01 Jun 2017Additional Info
- Pray: for Islamic religious leaders to use their influence to persuade the militants to release the hostages unharmed, and for God to comfort all victims of these two incidents. (Psalm 23:4)
- More: www.gospelherald.com/articles/70643/20170525/nine-christians-tied-together-shot-isis-militants-amid-escalating-violence.htm