Isil linked to deaths of Philippine carpenters

FIGHTERS with suspected links to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) gunned down eight civilians yesterday as they attempted to escape the besieged city of Marawi in the Philippines, police have said.

Rebel gunmen stopped the civilians, believed to be carpenters, as they tried to escape the violence in Marawi, where more than 2,000 people are being held hostage.

They were killed because they could not cite verses of the Koran, said Jamail C Mangadang, a police officer.

Police said the victims had been shot in the head, some with their hands tied behind their backs, and a sign was tied to one that said “munafik” [traitor].

The Maute rebels have been fighting for control of Marawi for six days as they try to win recognition from Isil as its south-east Asian branch.

“This is a conflict that has gone beyond proportion,” said Zia Alonto Adiong, a local politician. “The magnitude of the degree of the damage and the people that are affected ... it’s really massive.”

In an effort to stem the siege, President Rodrigo Duterte put the mainly Muslim Mindanao island under martial law on Tuesday, but the army said that at least 16 civilians have died in the clashes, as the death toll neared 100. Maute rebels started the takeover of the city after President Duterte’s security forces attempted to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, the man believed to be Isil’s representative in the country.

Hapilon is judged to be one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and the United States is offering a bounty of $5million (£3.9million) for his capture.

In response, the militants set fire to buildings and took hold of a school, hospital, and a cathedral on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people have since fled from Marawi.

Rockets were launched at the rebels and more ground troops deployed as the campaign to stop the Maute group of 260 armed followers stepped up.