ISIS forces women into sex slavery and uses Christians as human shields in the Philippines
The Islamic State terrorists in the Philippines are reportedly forcing women to become sex slaves and are using 100 Christians as human shields as government forces continue the offensive to retake Marawi City.
The authorities believe that the Maute group, which seized Marawi more than a month ago, currently holds more than 100 Christians hostage, including a Catholic priest identified as Fr. Teresito Soganub.
Members of the group are reportedly forcing the hostages to convert to Islam and carry wounded fighters.
While most of the city's 200,000 residents have fled since the siege on May 12, those who are left behind have been subjected to horrific abuse.
"They are being forced to be sex slaves, forced to destroy the dignity of these women," said Army spokesman Jo-Ar Herrera, according to Daily Mail. "This is what is happening inside, this is very evident..these are evil personalities," he added.
Herrera also noted that the terrorists have tasked some of the hostages to loot houses and establishments for ammunition, firearms, cash and gold.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to carry out intense bombing raids by planes on rebel-held parts of the city.
Abdullah Maute, one of two brothers who formed the group, reportedly said that he would free Soganub in exchange for his parents, who are being held by the police.
The authorities have arrested the Maute brothers' father, Cayamora Maute, on June 6, while their mother, Farhana Maute, was arrested three days later.
Eight Muslim leaders reportedly met with the head of the terrorist group on Sunday during the short truce to mark the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The government condemned the meeting, saying it is sticking to its policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
"Let us remind the public, the gravity of the terrorists and their supporters' offences is immense and they must be held accountable for all their actions," said a government spokesman.
The military has warned that the number of civilians killed by the rebels could rise sharply, as troops retake more ground. On Wednesday, five decapitated civilians were found among 17 bodies, confirming reports that the terror group has beheaded residents during the siege of Marawi.
Since the start of the conflict, 71 security forces and 299 militants have been killed. Additionally, 246,000 people have been displaced, according to ABS-CBN News.
Duterte has vowed to destroy the militants and warned that the Philippines is now dealing with "a very dangerous situation" because of young Muslims inspired by ISIS.
"They enjoy decapitating people in front of cameras. They have to be dealt with, with the same ferocity but not the brutality," he said at an event where he received weapons donated by China to help the military campaign.