The Islamic State-linked Maute group has taken hostages a Catholic priest and four other civilians in Marawi City, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Vice Gov. READ: Pray for priest, other Maute hostages, CBCP urges publicLucman confirmed this information to INQUIRER.net in a phone interview. He said his office was able to validate reports that the Maute group has five hostages, however, the names were not immediately available. ADVERTISEMENTHe also said that fighting has subsided since 10 a.m. Wednesday but the presence of the terrorists were still reported in some parts of Marawi City. ADVERTISEMENTThousands of residents have fled away from the city after gunfights erupted since Tuesday between the military troops and combined members of the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 24, 2017 08:48 UTC