Philippine military considers attacks on siege mosques

By Roy Ramos and Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - The military is considering attacks on mosques converted into defensive positions by Daesh-linked terrorists in southern Marawi City, an official said Monday.

The two-week siege has so far seen the armed forces resist attacking mosques that have been turned into strongholds by Maute and Abu Sayyaf fighters.

“There are provisions that may allow for us to take action against them,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said according to GMA News. “That is a matter we are studying carefully.”

He said militant snipers were using mosques as vantage points, hindering the military from retaking the 10 percent of the southern city still controlled by the terror groups, who have vowed allegiance to Daesh.

The Geneva Conventions prohibit the use of places of worship in support of military efforts or acts of hostility against them. However, the 1954 Hague Convention says “imperative military necessity” can overrule this requirement.

Padilla called on militants to surrender and cease their occupation of places of worship.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte said late Sunday that 2,000 fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebel group would join the battle to free Marawi City.

He said the deal had been struck with MNLF chairman Nur Misuari a day earlier. The MNLF was founded in 1971 to fight for an independent Muslim in the southern Philippines but signed an on-off peace deal with the government in 1996.

Duterte said the MNLF forces would join other rebel fighters integrated into the armed forces.

Other groups -- including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the communist New People’s Army -- have also offered troops to fight in Marawi.