The left refuses to admit that radical Islamic terrorism is a global problem. Because of this, the problem is not being properly addressed. As a consequence, innocent people are dying. For example, a Muslim extremist just recently engaged in a suicide attack at a concert in the UK, killing over 20 innocent people, some of which were children.

But while everyone was focused on the bombing in the UK, an organized terrorist attack took place in the Philippines, causing President Rodrigo Duterte to issue a state of emergency. Gunmen affiliated with the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) reportedly invaded a small town and exchanged fire with security forces. Residents shared images of the destruction and asked for help. After several long hours, the government was able to regain control of the situation.

According to reports, Marawi, a city located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, was recently overrun by roughly 50-100 terrorists. The invasion took place yesterday after Filipino security forces attempted to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, the leader of Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent jihadist militant group known based in the Philippines.

When they arrived, Hapilon’s forces opened fire. The government returned fire, but jihadists from Maute, another Muslim extremist group, showed up to assist Abu Sayyaf. It’s likely that they’re working together because they both have ties to ISIS.

Col. Jo-ar Herrera, a spokesperson for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, confirmed that this what happened. “We launched a surgical operation to neutralize the group who is planning terrorism in Marawi,” he said, referring to Abu Sayyaf, adding, “[but] our troops were met by bullets from the Maute group, triggering a fierce firefight.” One police officer and two soldiers died in the shootout and roughly a dozen others were injured. A significant amount of jihadists were also killed in the conflict.

Shortly after starting, the firefight turned into a siege. The terrorists reportedly stormed the city and took over city hall, a jail, parts of the Mindanao State University campus, and a government hospital. They also lit several buildings on fire. Unsurprisingly, a Catholic church was one of the buildings targeted by the radical Muslims. On top of burning the church to the ground, they also allegedly kidnapped a priest and several churchgoers and are holding them hostage.

Socrates Villegas, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), verified that hostages were taken. In a statement released shortly after the attack, he said, “[the militants] have threatened to kill the hostages if the government forces unleashed against them are not recalled.” Hopefully, they’re able to rescue them without incident.

Details of the attack were shared by many online. For example, on Facebook, one resident posted, “we are not okay here. There are buildings on fire in the town and we are not hearing any fire truck sirens or what. And now lights are out and we are hearing gunshots again.”

Another resident tweeted, “Marawi is not okay! We are being burned down! Fire trucks are seized. #PrayForMarawi Schools, jails, and homes are left to be torched.

Marawi is not okay! We are being burned down! Fire trucks are seized. #PrayForMarawi Schools, jails, and homes are left to be torched. pic.twitter.com/PPxWU2zEeL — Haron Ar Rashid Dima (@RickoDima) May 23, 2017

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed these details in a live broadcast. “The whole of Marawi city is blacked out, there is no light, and there are Maute snipers all around,” she stated. The scattered snipers made it extremely difficult, and dangerous, for the forces to secure the city.

In an attempt to reassure those living in the city, Military Chief of Staff General Eduardo Ano announced that they “will conduct house-to-house clearing and do everything to remove the threat there.” They’re worried that the jihadists may have killed innocent civilians during their invasion.

Because of the attack, Duterte decided to return home from Russia early to handle the situation. His first step was to declare martial law on all of Mindanao for 60 days to help the military more effectively deal with the jihadists. As of now, the situation appears to be under control. Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for the President, told reporters, “the government is in full control of the situation and is fully aware that the Maute/ISIS and similar groups have the capability, though limited, to disturb the peace.”

Despite the fact that the attack in the Philippines was much more organized, many are focused more on the attack in the UK. President Donald Trump should work with Duterte to rid the “evil losers” from the country. Together, they can help make the world a bit safer.