People in the battle-scarred Southern Philippines city of Marawi are trying to rebuild their homes and lives one year after the place was stormed by Islamist militants.
In May 2017, militants belonging to the Maute group, an affiliate of Islamic State, took over Marawi. In the following five months of fighting between the militants and government forces, 40% of the city was destroyed and 98% of the population displaced. Militants entered homes and set buildings on fire, including a cathedral and a Protestant-run college.
They also took more than a dozen Christians hostage, as Christians were a particular target for the extremists.
Eight Christians were asked to recite the Al-Fatiha and Shahada [Islamic prayers]. When they refused to do so, they were shot and placards placed on their bodies stating they were traitors.
Christian hostages
The daughter of a pastor found herself trapped in the hospital when Maute militants invaded the buildings. Her father received a phone call from her. ‘She said there were already many dead including the security guards and policemen. There were more Christian hostages, while the others ran for their lives.’ His daughter managed to escape.
