Priest among 14 hostages held in siege

Muslim extremists have abducted a Catholic priest and more than a dozen churchgoers while laying siege to a southern Philippine city, officials said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the southern third of the nation and warned he would enforce it harshly.

The violence erupted on Tuesday night after the army raided the hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf commander who is on America’s list of mostwanted terrorists.

The militants called for reinforcements from an allied group, the Maute, and some 50 gunmen managed to enter the city of Marawi.

“We are in a state of emergency,” Mr Duterte said after landing in Manila from a visit to Moscow, adding that skirmishes were continuing.

“I have a serious problem in Mindanao and the Isis footprints are everywhere.”

He said he may declare martial law elsewhere in the Philippines if militants expand their attacks.