Pro-Islamic State militants end hostage drama at school in southern Philippines

‘Pro-Islamic State militants stormed a town school in the southern Philippines early on Wednesday and briefly held several students hostage.
The attack happened on the same island where fighting between government troops and Islamist militants has entered its fifth week.
About 300 armed men, including members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), launched the attack on a school in Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato province on Mindanao island.
After holding some students captive, the militants later withdrew with no reports of casualties.
“It’s already resolved,” Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told reporters. “They’ve withdrawn, they are no longer there. The school area is again safe.”
However, Padilla also said the military was investigating whether five civilians were still being held by the militants. He said no children had been taken hostage.’
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