Palace asks Filipinos to pray for end to terrorism as Ramadan starts

MANILA, Philippines — As the Muslim community observes the holy month of Islam, Malacañang on Saturday urged the public to say a special prayer to combat terrorism and stop the ongoing strife in Marawi City.

"We stand with Muslim Filipinos in their reverent observance of the holy month of Ramadan." Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“Together we pray for an end to terrorism that falsely claims to advance Islam and seeks to subjugate our land to the brutal IS (Islamic State),” he added.

The holy month of Ramadan started on Saturday with thousands of residents rushing to get out of Marawi City amid clashes between government forces and the Maute group.

The violence prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the country's south, where a Muslim rebellion has raged for decades. At least 44 people have died in the fighting, including 31 militants and 11 soldiers, officials say. 

On Friday, Duterte ordered his troops to crush the militants, warning that the country is at a grave risk of "contamination" by the Islamic State group.

He gave his troops a free hand to wrest control of Marawi. "You can arrest any person, search any house without warrant," said Duterte, who has been criticized for the deaths of thousands of people in a crackdown on illegal drugs.

Still, the president offered dialogue to militants who are not on the streets fighting.

"In this spirit of Muslim peace, the President has offered the hand of peaceful dialogue to terrorist groups, to avoid bloodshed in this time of prayer, fasting and mercy," Abella said.

"With all faiths, we pray that God restore and preserve peace in Mindanao," he added.

The city of Marawi, home to some 200,000 people, has been under siege by IS-linked militants since a failed raid Tuesday night on a suspected hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, who is on Washington's list of most-wanted terrorists. — with reports from the Associated Press