Video clips obtained by the Reuters news agency and attributed to the Amaq News Agency showed, among others, scenes of armed men marauding a church in Marawi City during the ongoing standoff between government forces and followers of the terrorist Maute Group.
Religious images of Roman Catholic icons were smashed into the ground and trampled on in one scene, including the crucifix and an image of the child Jesus.
The suspects could also be seen tearing up a portrait of Pope Francis and a copy of the Holy Bible, and then setting them on fire.
These video clips spread over the weekend in social media circles.
On Monday, air strikes continued to pound the positions held by the jihadist militants, with the angry crackle of fire exchanges pocking the day.
Unlike the previous days, there was less scenes of confrontation than static exchanges of gunfire.
A source from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) explained that the lessened offensive tactical action from the Maute Group could imply they are busy with evasive actions intended to lay the ground for a retreat away from the city they tried to capture.
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