Tag: Mindanao

Philippine president vows determination against militants with alleged IS ties

MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) — President Rodrigo Duterte vowed his determination in fighting against armed forces like the alleged Islamic State (IS)-linked “Maute Group” on Wednesday, after he cut short his official visit to Russia. Duterte declared martial law for 60 days on Tuesday on the island of Mindanao and nearby island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi after clashes between the army and militants with alleged links to IS in Marawi, the provincial city of […]

President Duterte open to widening scope of martial law if ISIS threat widens

  (Eagle News) — If the threat of the Islamist-inspired terrorist reaches Luzon, President Rodrigo Duterte said he might just impose martial law in the entire country to protect the Filipino people. “If I think that ISIS has taken foothold in Luzon, I might declare martial law throughout the country to protect the people,” the President said upon his arrival from his official visit in Russia late Wednesday afternoon. The President said he might also suspend […]

Maute group beheads local police chief in Lanao del Sur town, takes Catholic priest as hostage

  Islamist militants rampaging through a southern Philippine city beheaded a local police chief, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, even as there were reports that the Maute group had also taken hostages, including a Catholic priest. President Duterte disclosed the news of the Maute beheading of a local police official in his speech upon his arrival from Moscow on Wednesday afternoon. He said the attack occurred near the southern city of Marawi, which is under […]

Duterte arrives from Russia; says Maute “open defiance” prompted him to declare martial law in Mindanao

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Maute’s “open defiance” and “rebellion”  prompted him to declare martial law in Mindanao, as he assured the public he would not allow abuses on the part of the security forces. In his arrival speech from Russia, Duterte said the Islamist militants rampaged through Marawi and beheaded the police chief in Malabang who was on his way home. “…Going back he was stopped by a checkpoint manned by terrorists and […]

Surigao del Sur lawmaker says declaration of martial law in Mindanao appropriate and timely

QUEZON City, Philippines – Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s act of placing Mindanao under martial law, saying that the declaration was appropriate and not an overreaction. “We fully support the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao. Ang Mindanao talaga, problema talaga ang peace and order situation. I think the proclamation is timely so that we can solve also other problems like criminality,” said Pimentel. Meanwhile, House Committee on Defense Chairman Ruffy Biazon […]

Martial law in Mindanao: What we know

President Rodrigo Duterte has imposed martial law on the southern region of Mindanao to combat militants who have declared allegiance to the Islamic State group. Here is what we know about why he declared martial law and what happens next: What happened to trigger martial law?  Duterte acted after security forces on Tuesday battled dozens of gunmen in Marawi, a city of about 200,000 people. One policeman and two soldiers died in the fighting, authorities said. Tuesday’s […]

Davao Mayor Sara Duterte: City now in “hold and secure” situation

  (Eagle News) — “Hold and secure.” This was how Davao Mayor Sara Duterte described the current security situation in the city, which was under a lockdown on Tuesday night. Under a lockdown, no one was allowed inside and outside Davao City. “So inadjust na namin iyan ngayon. We are doing a hold and secure—increased security measures inside Davao City and going into Davao City considering there are incidents that are happening outside of Davao City. What we […]

A briefer on martial law

Below are facts you need to know about martial law. Q: When can martial law be declared? Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the President, the commander in chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, “may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law” in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires […]

“No ISIS in PHL,” says PNP as gov’t forces contain Maute; tells public to be wary of terror group’s propaganda

(Eagle News) – The Philippine National Police said the situation in Marawi City is slowly dying down as government forces started slowly containing local terrorists, the Maute group, who are seeking recognition from the international Islamist State terror group ISIS. PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos also advised media and the public not to be an instrument for propaganda of the Maute group, which is seeking to promote themselves in social media. “Nag-aapila po kami […]

Senators back President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao

(Eagle News) — Several senators backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, with one noting that the “despicable terrorists” must be held “accountable for their crimes against humanity.” In a statement, Senator Joel Villanueva said the declaration of martial law in the southern Philippines needed to be done due to the “gravity of this horrific incident.” “We condemn to the highest degree the recent attacks which transpired in Marawi City. As to […]

PHL needs modern firearms to fight ISIS, Duterte tells Putin

(Reuters) — President Rodrigo Duterte told Russian leader Vladimir Putin late Tuesday (May 23) that the Philippines needs modern arms to fight Islamic State and that he expected Russian support. Duterte also said he had to halt his visit to Moscow and return home as there was still fighting with militants there. The Maute group is touted to have links with ISIS. “I have to go home because I should be there at this time. […]

President Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law Tuesday across Mindanao, after deadly clashes between security forces and Islamic State group-linked militants in a major city. The announcement, made by his spokesperson at a press conference in Moscow where Duterte was on an official visit, fulfills an often-repeated warning by the president that he would enforce military rule to quell security threats. Duterte placed the region, which makes up roughly one third of the country and is […]