8 Filipino Christians Killed for Refusing to Recite Islamic Creed
http://www.christianpost.com/news/8-filipino-christians-killed-refusing-recite-islamic-creed-186213/
Eight Christians who were killed when an Islamic State-linked group stormed a Filipino city late last month were shot to death because of their refusal to recite the Islamic declaration of faith, government officials have reportedly said....
The same extremist group claims it is responsible for the kidnapping of as many as 240 Catholics, including Father Teresito "Chito" Suganob, the priest who appeared in a recently released video in which he listed off the names of other "prisoners of war" who were captured by the militants.
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According to Catholic News Agency, the militant group formed in 2012 and officially pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State in 2015. But the group's violence drastically increased after a failed attempt from the Filipino military to arrest a local extremist leader by the name of Isnilon Hapilon.
Since the assault began in Marawi in May, the Maute Group has burned down a number of buildings, which include a Catholic cathedral and bishop's residence.
The Associated Press reports that military spokesman Restituto Padilla said on Tuesday that about 1,000 residents remain trapped in the city and over 900 have been rescued by government forces. Additionally, the military has killed a total of 89 militants and has liberated about 90 percent of the besieged city.