On MAY 23, Filipino forces launched an offensive in Marawi to capture Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the Abu Sayyaf terror group. Abu Sayyaf militants opened fire on the forces and called for reinforcements from the Maute group, another terror organisation. President Roberto Duterte placeed Mindanao — of which Marawi is a part — under martial law

HAS TERROR AFFECTED PHILIPPINES BEFORE?

Muslims make up an estimated 10% of the Philippines’ population and Islam is the second largest religion. Mindanao, the country’s southernmost island, is Muslim-majority, with most practicing Sunni Islam Philippines witnessed its first terror attack in 1971, but since January 2000, Islamist militant and separatist forces have carried out more than 40 bombings, mostly in Mindanao

HOW DID ISIS GET INTO PHILIPPINES?

Various factions in Mindanao have a history of armed violence over land and resources. Now, they have formed a coalition against a common enemy — the government in Manila — with the IS convincing them that the answer to Mindanao’s problems is Islamic law. Pledging allegiance to IS has facilitated cooperation across clan and ethnic lines, and widened recruitment Experts say IS, facing losses in Syria and Iraq, has looked to the Philippines to establish a province in the region