'Islamic militants occupy Philippine school, take hostages'
June 21, 2017 15:32
Al Jazeera: Gunmen have occupied a school after storming a village on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, according to police. Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group were engaged in a gun battle with security forces at Malagakit, close to Pigcawayan town, Chief Inspector Realan Mamon said in a radio interview on Wednesday.
Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, army spokesman, said five civilians were taken hostage, none of them students, as human shields.
The Malagakit school is believed to had been closed at the time of the attack. Eliseo Garcesa, mayor of Pigcawayan, told Philippine radio that about 200 gunmen were involved in the attack. He said he was still seeking information about possible casualties.
Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, army spokesman, said five civilians were taken hostage, none of them students, as human shields.
The Malagakit school is believed to had been closed at the time of the attack. Eliseo Garcesa, mayor of Pigcawayan, told Philippine radio that about 200 gunmen were involved in the attack. He said he was still seeking information about possible casualties.
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