National

In photos: Exodus from Marawi city to safer ground

(Eagle News) — Residents of Marawi City continued to evacuate from their homes towards Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, by car or on foot, as fighting rages on between government forces trying to destroy Islamist militants in Marawi City. The IS-inspired Maute group had attacked the peaceful city to reportedly establish an Islamic caliphate in Mindanao, prompting Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

Peace talks with communist rebels put on hold following their order to intensify attacks

Peace talks between the Philippine government and communist insurgents were put on hold on Saturday after a dispute over the rebels’ ordering their fighters to step up attacks. But communist negotiators remained hopeful that the discussions being held at a seaside resort town in the Netherlands would continue, despite the suspension announced by government negotiators. The two sides had just opened formal talks when chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza objected to the communists’ telling guerillas […]

Duterte visits wake of slain gov’t troopers in Iligan City, also checks on wounded men in hospital

(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte visited the wounded-in-action (WIA) soldiers and wounded-in-police operation (WIPO) policemen confined at the Adventist Medical Center in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, as well as condoled with the families of the soldiers and policemen killed in action during clashes with Maute terrorists in Marawi City. This was moments after he gave a speech on Friday (May 26) at the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade to boost the morale of government […]

Philippine military conducts “surgical air strikes” in Maute areas in Marawi City

  (Eagle News) — The Philippine military did more “surgical airstrikes” firing rockets in the areas where the local terrorists, the Islamist State inspired Maute group, which have vowed to establish a local caliphate in Marawi City, had been seen. Philippine soldiers have been battling the Maute militants and among their group are reportedly some foreigners and young recruits who have been seen with them around Marawi. It had been five days since the firefight and the […]

AFP urges CPP leadership to reconsider order on NPA attacks

“Law to be enforced uniformly,” says AFP spokesperson   (Eagle News) — The Philippine military said it will “enforce the law uniformly” if the New People’s Army would continue its unlawful activities. In a press conference in Davao City on Friday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla urged the other side to reconsider its decision after receiving news about this amid the ongoing terror threat of the Islamist militants in […]

PHL gov’t disturbed with CPP’s order for NPA to intensify attacks amid fighting in Mindanao

  (Eagle News) — The Philippine government said it was “deeply disturbed” with the order from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) directing the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify attacks against government forces amid the ongoing fight against the Maute terrorists in Mindanao. The government peace panel asked the CPP to reconsider its decision or else it might be misconstrued that the communists are abetting the terrorist acts of the Maute group. The […]

“This is a time for victory,” President Duterte tells troops in visit to Iligan amid clashes in neighboring Marawi

(Eagle News) — “This is a time for victory…Talagang panalo tayo dito.” This was the assurance President Rodrigo Duterte gave government troops in Iligan, which he visited on Friday amid the ongoing clashes with the Maute terrorist group in neighboring Marawi. “This is a time for victory. We will not lose it. How can we lose it? We have everything,” he said. He said he has bought “all the equipment” the troops needed. All the government planes, he […]

Despite criticisms, US to aid PH in fight against terrorism

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The United States of America condemned the attack of the Maute Group in Marawi City. In a statement, Washingon D.C. promised to give aid to the Philippines in the fight against terrorism, adding that the Philippines is its closest ally. The statement was released in the face of President Rodrigo Duterte’s criticisms against the American government due to its comments against President Duterte’s war on drugs. https://youtu.be/WRTOtuHzIu0

Opposition lawmakers call for support for martial law

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives asked the public to support the martial law in Mindanao. Minority congressmen Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza and Kabayan party-list Representative Harry Roque both stated that the public should trust President Rodrigo Duterte as it is only President Duterte, in his capacity as commander-in-chief, who has all the complete intelligence data. Still, the members of the minority bloc of the House of Representatives […]

Security tightened in various airports after Marawi siege

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was tightened after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao following the Marawi siege. “We will implement stricter security measures at the airport,” Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal said. Monreal said that the airport police department was always coordinating with the Aviation Security Group and other law enforcement groups in order to monitor the security in the four terminals of NAIA. Monreal […]

Enrile supports declaration of martial law in Mindanao

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile expressed his support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Enrile also said that he can see no reason why anyone would criticize President Duterte as it is provided in the law that the President can declare martial law when there is violence.