Philippines

Smoke billows from the Marawi city center after an air attack by Philippine government troops on May 30. Philippine government troops have been battling ISIS-linked militants.

World News

How Big A Threat Is Extremism In Southeast Asia?

8:19am June 11, 2017

by Ashley Westerman

The Philippines has been a recent flashpoint, but violent episodes have taken place elsewhere, too. Islamist groups in the region are diverse and the threat of terrorism is not confined to ISIS.

An airstrike rips through a suspected militant hideout in Marawi on Friday. The U.S. is now providing "technical assistance" in the fight to retake the city, according to a Philippine military spokesman.

World News

U.S. Backs Bid To Reclaim Marawi As 13 Philippine Marines Killed In Fighting

10:50am June 10, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The U.S. is now giving "technical assistance" to the country's military, according to a Philippine spokesman. The news comes amid heavy fighting to take back the city from ISIS-linked militants.

Philippine army Scout Rangers crouch in a classroom during a mission to flush out militant snipers in Marawi on Tuesday. Using these snipers, human shields and their knowledge of the city, the ISIS-linked militants have continued to maintain their grasp o

World News

PHOTOS: In Marawi, A Siege Threatens To Grind Into Stalemate

4:49pm June 07, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Even as Philippine authorities report progress, large sections of the southern city remain under the control of ISIS-linked militants — who officials now believe have been planning for this moment.

World News

Philippine Police Identify Resort Attacker As Indebted Gambler

3:05am June 04, 2017

by Emma Bowman

According to his family, Manila police say, the lone gunman, who carried out Friday's attack on a casino that left at least 37 dead, was Jessie Carlos, a former Finance Department employee.

Smoke rises from the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday, June 2, 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

World News

Dozens Of Deaths Reported In Philippine Resort Attack

11:38pm June 01, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Local media say bodies were found in the casino attacked by what police said was one man. Police think the man, who died later of apparent suicide, shot a gun and set fires to steal gambling chips.

Tanks arrive at a military camp in Iligan, near the besieged Philippine city of Marawi, on Wednesday.

World News

Philippines Errantly Kills At Least 10 Of Its Own Troops In Fight For Marawi

3:27pm June 01, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The botched airstrike injured seven others. The violence marks the latest setback for a military that has been scrambling — and so far, failing — to reclaim the city from ISIS-linked militants.

Residents look at bodies found in a ravine on the outskirts of Marawi on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Sunday. Nearly 100 people have died as the government tries to drive out ISIS-allied militants.

World News

Death Toll Rises As Philippine Military Tries To Regain Control Of Marawi

4:59pm May 28, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The siege seems to be an effort by ISIS-inspired local groups to be recognized as a province of their caliphate. The death toll since fighting began Tuesday is close to 100.

Philippine security forces escort Marawi City evacuees at a checkpoint near a neighboring city on the southern island of Mindanao on Wednesday. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the island, and government forces have been trying to drive m

World News

After Botched Raid, Philippines Tries To Reclaim A City Under Siege

3:40pm May 24, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

With an island under martial law and civilians escaping Marawi City, which is occupied by ISIS-linked militants, President Rodrigo Duterte struck a hard line Wednesday: "If you fight us you will die."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reviews guards just outside Moscow late Monday. He announced Tuesday night he would be cutting his Russia visit short due to violence on Mindanao, where he declared martial law.

World News

Duterte Declares Limited Martial Law As Bloodshed Breaks Out In Marawi City

5:50pm May 23, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

An attempt to arrest a local militant group's leader went awry in Marawi City on Tuesday. By nightfall, militants occupied public buildings and the Philippine president cut his Russia trip short.

The author (second from left) with his parents, siblings and Lola.

Arts

In 'Lola's Story,' A Journalist Reveals A Family Secret

1:28pm May 16, 2017

by Rachel Martin

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alex Tizon died suddenly at 57 soon after he finished his story about Lola, writing: "I was 11, a typical American kid, before I realized she was my family's slave."

Queue Listen Now