ISIS Supporters Attack School in the Philippines and Take Hostages

According to reports from the Philippines, Islamist militants who have pledged allegiance to ISIS attacked a school in the city of Pikawayan in the southern province of Cotabato on Tuesday morning, June 21, taking a number of hostages. The Filipino television network ABS-CBN, citing Realan Imamum, the police chief of Pikawayan, reported that the attack by an 'unknown number' of militants occurred before 6 AM. According to Imamum, Philippine army forces have confirmed that armed individuals are present at the scene and gunfire has been heard. Reuters also published a similar report, stating that according to a police report, around 300 armed individuals, including militants from the 'Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters' (BIFF), attacked a school in Pikawayan. Reuters reported that the attackers have taken 'a number of students hostage.' ABS-CBN also confirmed that some individuals have been taken hostage. Meanwhile, the Philippine television network reported that local residents are fleeing to safe areas of the city due to the ongoing clashes. Philippine radio, citing the mayor of the city, stated that they do not yet know the number of potential casualties. The attack by the militants occurred in an area where Philippine army soldiers and security forces have been engaged in a new phase of fighting against Islamists for over a month; battles that are concentrated in predominantly Muslim areas of Mindanao Island. Since late May and early June, when Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, declared martial law in the southern part of the country, intense fighting has been ongoing in these areas. Recently, the United States military has also entered the battles to provide 'technical assistance' to Philippine forces in breaking the siege of Marawi City by ISIS supporters. Pikawayan is located 200 kilometers from 'Marawi City.'