Australian nun describes Philippines President’s rule as a “reign of terror” after landing in Melbourne
Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox has described Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s rule as a “reign of terror” after arriving back in Australia. Sr Fox, who arrived back in Melbourne on Sunday, reportedly said human rights abuses were increasing in the Philippines and described the situation there as a “reign of terror” and as being one “of tyranny”. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Church bells seized by US soldiers from Philippines to be returned, says Pentagon
A set of church bells seized by US soldiers in The Philippines more than 100 years ago are being returned to the country. The Pentagon has reportedly confirmed that the famed ‘Bells of Balangiga’ – taken in 1901 during the Philippine-American War – will be returned but hasn’t yet announced a time-frame. The bells, two […]
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 […]
Philippines: Marawi liberated but root cause of extremism remains
World Watch Monitor Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared “Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence” this week after the military killed two of the ring leaders behind the five-month assault on the city, but a religious freedom expert has warned the “killing of militant leaders does not destroy the fighters behind them”. Isnilon Hapilon, seen as the […]
Filipino priest Teresito Suganob free after four months as hostage
World Watch Monitor Catholic Filipino priest Teresito “Chito” Suganob is finally free, having been held hostage by Islamic State-linked militants for almost four months in the war-torn city of Marawi. According to The New York Times, the priest was rescued late on Saturday by the Philippines military, as it moved closer to rooting out the remaining gunmen from one […]
Bishop of Marawi calls for saving lives to be “priority” in retaking Philippine city
The Catholic Bishop of Marawi has urged Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and the nation’s military to ensure saving lives is their priority in retaking the remainder of the southern city of Marawi from Islamic extremists. Bishop Edwin de la Peña said in comments to Agenzia Fides late last week that with much of the city […]
Kidnapped Philippines priest ‘alive’ but Marawi situation still ‘dire’
World Watch Monitor The Catholic priest abducted by the Maute terrorist group last month – in the early stages of its ongoing assault on the city of Marawi in the southern Philippines – is believed to be still alive, after his release was reportedly offered in exchange for the parents of the Maute group’s leader. […]
Chaos in the Philippines as Islamist group storms city, abducts Christians and sets church on fire
World Watch Monitor A Catholic priest and 13 other Christians were taken hostage, while a cathedral and Protestant-run college were among the buildings set on fire, when an extremist group which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State descended upon the city of Marawi in the southern Philippines on Tuesday. Three fires broke out, as […]