At 10:00 p.m. PST () on May 23, 2017, amid a Maute group-related escalation of conflicts in Mindanao as well as recent clashes in Marawi between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Islamist group, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte placed the whole of Mindanao, including Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, under martial law. The proclamation was announced during a press briefing held in Moscow, where Duterte was on an official visit; the state of martial law will be in effect for 60 days. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the declaration was possible given the "existence of rebellion," while Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano explained that the step was taken with "the safety, the lives and property of people of Mindanao" in mind. Implementation is to be pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, which provides for a maximum 60-day-state of martial law without Congress approval for extension, the continuation of government functions, and the safeguard of individual freedoms. However, Duterte insisted that it will not be any different from martial law under President Ferdinand Marcos.