National

Former national security chief bares Hapilon formed a more violent, extreme terror group in Marawi

Gonzales: Gov’t battling between 400 to 700 Islamist terrorists from ASG, Maute, BIFF, other groups (Eagle News) — Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said that the Marawi situation is “very, very serious” and “dangerous” as the Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon had managed to merge a combination of forces numbering between 400 to 700 from the Maute group, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in his campaign to establish a caliphate […]

Video: Duterte visits wake of slain gov’t forces, civilian killed in Marawi fighting

  President Rodrigo Duterte condoles with the bereaved families of killed-in-police-operation policemen and killed-in-action soldiers during the clashes between the government troops and gunmen of the Maute group in Marawi City, Lanao del Norte. The remains of the killed policemen and soldiers lie at the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. He also condoled with the family of one civilian, Alan Descallar, who was killed when terrorists attacked Marawi City on […]

Philippine soldiers continue to battle Islamist militants in Marawi City

(Eagle News) — Philippine government forces continued to battle Islamist militants in Marawi City as intelligence reports revealed that the Maute group had been reinforced not only by Abu Sayyaf rebels, but from other terror elements in Mindanao. Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said that the Islamist militants were under the leadership of Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the kidnapping-for-ransom gang Abu Sayyaf that is also believed to have only a few hundred gunmen […]

In photos: Exodus from Marawi city to safer ground

(Eagle News) — Residents of Marawi City continued to evacuate from their homes towards Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, by car or on foot, as fighting rages on between government forces trying to destroy Islamist militants in Marawi City. The IS-inspired Maute group had attacked the peaceful city to reportedly establish an Islamic caliphate in Mindanao, prompting Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

Peace talks with communist rebels put on hold following their order to intensify attacks

Peace talks between the Philippine government and communist insurgents were put on hold on Saturday after a dispute over the rebels’ ordering their fighters to step up attacks. But communist negotiators remained hopeful that the discussions being held at a seaside resort town in the Netherlands would continue, despite the suspension announced by government negotiators. The two sides had just opened formal talks when chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza objected to the communists’ telling guerillas […]

Duterte visits wake of slain gov’t troopers in Iligan City, also checks on wounded men in hospital

(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte visited the wounded-in-action (WIA) soldiers and wounded-in-police operation (WIPO) policemen confined at the Adventist Medical Center in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, as well as condoled with the families of the soldiers and policemen killed in action during clashes with Maute terrorists in Marawi City. This was moments after he gave a speech on Friday (May 26) at the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade to boost the morale of government […]

Philippine military conducts “surgical air strikes” in Maute areas in Marawi City

  (Eagle News) — The Philippine military did more “surgical airstrikes” firing rockets in the areas where the local terrorists, the Islamist State inspired Maute group, which have vowed to establish a local caliphate in Marawi City, had been seen. Philippine soldiers have been battling the Maute militants and among their group are reportedly some foreigners and young recruits who have been seen with them around Marawi. It had been five days since the firefight and the […]

AFP urges CPP leadership to reconsider order on NPA attacks

“Law to be enforced uniformly,” says AFP spokesperson   (Eagle News) — The Philippine military said it will “enforce the law uniformly” if the New People’s Army would continue its unlawful activities. In a press conference in Davao City on Friday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla urged the other side to reconsider its decision after receiving news about this amid the ongoing terror threat of the Islamist militants in […]

PHL gov’t disturbed with CPP’s order for NPA to intensify attacks amid fighting in Mindanao

  (Eagle News) — The Philippine government said it was “deeply disturbed” with the order from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) directing the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify attacks against government forces amid the ongoing fight against the Maute terrorists in Mindanao. The government peace panel asked the CPP to reconsider its decision or else it might be misconstrued that the communists are abetting the terrorist acts of the Maute group. The […]

“This is a time for victory,” President Duterte tells troops in visit to Iligan amid clashes in neighboring Marawi

(Eagle News) — “This is a time for victory…Talagang panalo tayo dito.” This was the assurance President Rodrigo Duterte gave government troops in Iligan, which he visited on Friday amid the ongoing clashes with the Maute terrorist group in neighboring Marawi. “This is a time for victory. We will not lose it. How can we lose it? We have everything,” he said. He said he has bought “all the equipment” the troops needed. All the government planes, he […]

Despite criticisms, US to aid PH in fight against terrorism

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The United States of America condemned the attack of the Maute Group in Marawi City. In a statement, Washingon D.C. promised to give aid to the Philippines in the fight against terrorism, adding that the Philippines is its closest ally. The statement was released in the face of President Rodrigo Duterte’s criticisms against the American government due to its comments against President Duterte’s war on drugs. https://youtu.be/WRTOtuHzIu0