Manila, Philippines — Thousands of protesters marked Thursday’s anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president’s authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president’s brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country’s south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos’ martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

“This is the worst administration I have seen,” Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte’s presidency. “He’s like a madman,” she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. “I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious,” she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using “narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos’s playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity.”

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

“What we need is an iron fist,” Olase said, expressing support for Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. “I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night.”

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. “I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that,” Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read “Stop the Killings,” left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte’s allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission’s annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they’re found to be involved in illegal drugs.

“You can just kill them so the people can’t say anything,” Duterte said.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> MANILA—Thousands of antigovernment protesters thronged Manila Thursday in the largest outpouring of opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs and strongman style of governance.

The protests, planned to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, extend weeks of backlash against the Duterte administration following the alleged execution of a... </s> Demonstrators denounce president's 'drug war' as they mark 45 years since the declaration of martial law in Philippines.

Thousands of people have protested in the Philippines on the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country, while denouncing what they say are President Rodrigo Duterte's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police on Thursday were deployed in the capital, Manila, to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against Duterte since he took office last year.

A group calling itself a "Movement Against Tyranny" used the anniversary to highlight human rights violations under Duterte's so-called drug war on drugs.

According to police statistics, more than 3,000 suspects have been killed in anti-drug operations since Duterte became president on June 30, 2016.

Another 2,000 more have died in drug-related homicides, according to government figures.

READ MORE: Thousands demand end to killings in Duterte's drug war

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the killings", left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs.

"Marcos, Duterte, no different, they both kill," the activists chanted, referring to the late leader Ferdinand Marcos who imposed military dictatorship for eight years in 1972, citing the threat of communism.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and the muzzling of civil liberties.

Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan, reporting from the protest in Manila, said that survivors of the martial law period draw a lot of similarities between former president Marcos and the current rule of Duterte.

"The protesters are asking the president to stop his so-called war on drugs and instead focus on institutional reform, especially when it comes to the Philippine national police and the judiciary," she said.

Duterte declared Thursday as a National Day of Protest to allow people "to express their grievances as part of their constitutional rights" as he suspended work in government offices and classes in public schools.

But he warned protesters not to break the law.

"I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said on Friday on state TV.

Several thousand demonstrators took the opportunity to gather separately to show their support for the president.

Duterte imposed military rule in the southern Mindanao region for 60 days on May 23 when hundreds of ISIL-linked fighters occupied parts of Marawi city.

The Philippines Congress approved in July Duterte's request to extend martial law in the southern island until the end of the year.

Duterte has also threatened to impose a nationwide martial law to combat the threat from fighters in the south.

Last week, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Duterte may expand martial law in the southern Philippines to the entire country if the September 21 rallies turn violent.

But, on Thursday, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella tried to allay those fears.

"If they are saying that martial law is being planned, it is not so," he said in a radio interview. </s> Protesters hit a burning cube effigy with the faces of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and President Rodrigo Duterte during a rally near the Presidential Palace, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of protesters marked Thursday's anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year, although a new survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center showed the president and his anti-drug campaign are widely popular in the Philippines.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president's brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country's south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

"This is the worst administration I have seen," Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte's presidency. "He's like a madman," she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. "I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious," she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using "narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos's playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity."

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

"What we need is an iron fist," Olase said, expressing support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign. "I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night."

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. "I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the Killings," left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission's annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte's anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they're found to be involved in illegal drugs.

"You can just kill them so the people can't say anything," Duterte said.

The Pew Research Center survey released Thursday showed Duterte and his campaign against illegal drugs are supported by most Filipinos, with 86 percent having a favorable view of Duterte and 78 percent supporting his handling of the drug problem.

"Despite international concerns leveled by various governments regarding Duterte's controversial clashes with drug cartels and potential human rights violations, the Filipino leader and his policies are widely popular," Pew said.

It said face-to-face interviews of 1,000 adult Filipinos were conducted between Feb. 26 and May 8 in the nationwide survey, which had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points. </s> Thousands of protesters marked Thursday's anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year, although a new survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center showed the president and his anti-drug campaign are widely popular in the Philippines.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president's brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country's south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

"This is the worst administration I have seen," Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte's presidency. "He's like a madman," she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. "I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious," she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using "narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos's playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity."

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

"What we need is an iron fist," Olase said, expressing support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign. "I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night."

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. "I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the Killings," left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission's annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte's anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they're found to be involved in illegal drugs.

"You can just kill them so the people can't say anything," Duterte said.

The Pew Research Center survey released Thursday showed Duterte and his campaign against illegal drugs are supported by most Filipinos, with 86 percent having a favorable view of Duterte and 78 percent supporting his handling of the drug problem.

"Despite international concerns leveled by various governments regarding Duterte's controversial clashes with drug cartels and potential human rights violations, the Filipino leader and his policies are widely popular," Pew said.

It said face-to-face interviews of 1,000 adult Filipinos were conducted between Feb. 26 and May 8 in the nationwide survey, which had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points. </s> Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — Martial law stays in Mindanao until the end of the year.

The Senate and House of Representatives on Saturday granted President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend military rule in the south until December 31, 2017. Proclamation 216, which declared martial law in Mindanao, expires at 10 p.m. on July 22.

A total of 261 lawmakers voted in favor and 18 were against.

A majority vote of the two chambers voting jointly, or at least 158 of the 314 members of Congress, was needed to pass the motion.

A total of 279 lawmakers, or 20 senators and 259 congressmen, were present at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Senator Leila de Lima was unable to attend as she is detained at Camp Crame for drug charges.

Aside from declaring martial law in Mindanao, Proclamation 216 suspended the writ of habeas corpus. The proclamation was issued on May 23 when the ISIS-inspired Maute group stormed Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur.

In his letter to Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez dated July 18, Duterte said government needs five more months to quell the rebellion in Mindanao.

Also read: Duterte wants to extend martial law until end of 2017

On July 21, Duterte said the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police recommended the five-month extension to cover the rehabilitation period for war-torn Marawi and prevent the possible retaliation of terrorist sympathizers.

"No, sa kanila yan (No, it's theirs) ... The contamination of the ideology na nakita nilang patay, might spur others just to do the same," Duterte said.

This is the first time Congress voted to extend a martial law proclamation.

Aside from the 14-year martial law declared by late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also declared martial law in Maguindanao in December 2009 following the Maguindanao Massacre, which killed 57 people, including media practitioners.

Arroyo's martial law only lasted eight days. She lifted it even before Congress could review her proclamation.

Palace: Martial law extension essential to peace

Meanwhile, Malacañang released a statement following the joint session Saturday, saying now that the debate on the extension is over, the country must refocus its attention to make sure peace and order is maintained in Mindanao.

"The extension of martial law is essential to the overall peace and stability. The rebellion in Marawi continues to persist and we want to stop the spread of the evil ideology of terrorism and free the people of Mindanao from the tyranny of lawlessness and violent extremism," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

"There is much work to be done in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi," he added.

Drilon: No evidence to support Mindanao martial law extension to Dec. 31

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon gave an explanation on why he voted against the extension of martial law until the end of 2017.

He said there was "no evidence of actual rebellion outside of Marawi City," and the declaration of martial law for a period longer than his proposed 60 days would mean they have failed to do their duty as lawmakers under the Constitution.

Drilon said, under the Constitution martial law can be declared only if "actual rebellion exists," and Congress may extend its duration if it is necessary.

He said, "The factual basis for a continued martial rule in Mindanao and an extension of up do December 31, 2017 do not meet the requirements of the Constitution."

Drilon said the President mentioned only 10 out of 27 provinces in Mindanao that are under threat, so it follows that martial law should be extended only in these areas "where actual rebellion exists."

Drilon also questioned the reason behind the extension when Duterte and security officials mentioned "significant progress" against rebels. </s> President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans to declare martial law nationwide amid growing protests against his administration’s war on drugs, alleged extrajudicial killings, and military rule in Mindanao, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a television interview, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte declared Thursday as a national day of protest to allow the people to express their grievances as part of their constitutional rights.

“Again and again, he has said that that is not the road we are going to take. He only said that he’s allowing the protest, as long as these do not lead to violence and destruction of property, in which case the response will be firm,” Abella said in an interview with GMA News.

“But if people are speculating that martial law is in the works, no,” the Palace official added.

On Saturday, September 9, Duterte warned that he would impose martial rule in the entire country, if communist rebels bring their insurgency to the streets.

But Abella said the President had been trying to reach out to the communist group.

“In fact, from the beginning, the President has tried to reach out to just about everybody, left to right. And again, he has a rainbow Cabinet, including left, including right, top to bottom,” Abella said.

Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute group laid siege to Marawi City.

He vowed to be harsh against terrorists, even claiming that the martial law he had imposed would be no different from the one declared by former president Ferdinand Marcos, whose presidency was tainted by human rights violations.

On Tuesday, the President signed Proclamation 319, declaring September 21 as a National Day of Protest.

 Duterte said the proclamation was “in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”

The declaration coincides with the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Martial Law under Marcos.

In a statement, Abella said allowing Thursday’s protest actions were a “healthy exercise of democracy.”

“Today, September 21, the nation observes its first National Day of Protest, when people from all walks of life and persuasion can freely hold marches, demonstrations, public assemblies, and all forms of mass action to express their grievances against perceived or actual excesses and/or shortcomings of the government,” Abella said.

“This is also an opportune time for those in the government to hear the voice of the governed as part of our efforts to uphold the highest standards of good governance. The event is a healthy exercise in democracy,” he added.

Pro- and anti-Duterte rallyists gathered in Manila to express their sentiments on various issues on Thursday.

 In Plaza Miranda, close to 500 pro-Duterte rallyists occupied the open area fronting Quiapo Church before noon where a stage was set up.

Organizer Benny Antiporda, a director of the board of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, said close to 50,000 people were expected to attend the program at 2 p.m.

“Our protesters are composed of supporters of the President from North, South and Central Luzon, particularly members of the Kilusang Pagbabago (Change Movement), PDP-Laban Party, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Friends of Rodrigo Duterte, Luzon Watch, and various local governments,” said Antiporda.

Antiporda said martial law in Mindanao was doing well and people there were happy since peace and order has improved.

“Before people in Mindanao walk with guns tucked in their waists. Now, you can’t see them anymore. It’s a big

 change,” said Abdulrashid Ladayo, a Muslim and native of Mindanao.

Ladayo said September 21 was supposed to commemorate the 1972 declaration of Martial Law, which was very different from the martial law declared by President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao.

“The Duterte martial law is not abusive. It aims to flush out the terrorists, particularly the Maute group and their minions,” he told The Manila Times.

“We are here to support the anti-drug campaign of the President. We need to save this country from drug addiction,” said Randy Sionzon, Barangay Kalalake chairman and president of the village chiefs of Olongapo City (north of Manila) who came to Plaza Miranda together with 165 Duterte supporters in three buses.

The Quiapo Police Community Precinct said 100 of their personnel were tasked to secure Plaza Miranda.

Meanwhile, anti-Duterte protesters converged on España Boulevard fronting the University of Santo Tomas (UST) at about 10 a.m. before proceeding to Mendiola or the Chino Roces Freedom Bridge.

Other militant groups like Bayan Muna and worker and student groups occupied Mendiola early Thursday morning. They proceeded to Roxas Boulevard in front of the Rizal Monument.

“We are here to send our message to the government that we are against the phaseout of jeepneys. We are poor jeepney drivers, we can’t afford to buy new units,” Piston President George Mateo said.

Piston, whose members arrived at about 7 a.m. in Mendiola, was also protesting oil deregulation.

“This is really an anti-Marcos, we’re also not pro-Duterte. We are pro-democracy, pro-freedom, pro-human rights and social justice. We stand for socialism,” Rasti Delizo, national coordinator of Laban ng Masa, said

 The group then proceeded to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City to join iDefend in a rally at 2 p.m.

About 200 unarmed policemen were deployed in Mendiola to ensure peace and order.

 Meanwhile, police augmentation forces were on standby at the US Embassy.

“US embassy and other diplomatic missions are ‘no rally zones’ and are non-negotiable,” PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos.

In line with PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa’s directive, police were told to observe “maximum tolerance.”

 Supt. Restituto Archangel said the more than 1,000 policemen, including a SWAT team and bomb disposal unit, came from various cities in Metro Manila.

The Manila Police District (MPD) alone deployed about 1,000 police officers in Plaza Miranda, Mendiola, and Rizal Park, according to Supt. Erwin Margarejo, MPD spokesman. </s> related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

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Philippine lawmakers on Saturday voted to retain martial law on the southern island of Mindanao until the end of the year, giving President Rodrigo Duterte more time to tackle armed extremists allied with the Islamic State group.

MANILA: Philippine lawmakers on Saturday voted to retain martial law on the southern island of Mindanao until the end of the year, giving President Rodrigo Duterte more time to tackle armed extremists allied with the Islamic State group.

Some 261 legislators agreed to extend military rule in a seven hour-long joint special session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, more than the required two-thirds of the house.

Security officials had told lawmakers that martial law was needed to stabilise a region where Islamic State was gaining influence, and supporters could be inspired to stage uprisings in other areas of Mindanao, joined by foreign jihadists.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned of more serious problems if the government did not have the powers to act swiftly.

"We need martial law because we haven't addressed yet the existence of other Daesh-inspired groups," he said, referring to another name for Islamic State.

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 when heavily-armed militants belonging to the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups along with foreign fighters stormed Marawi City, sparking the biggest security crisis of his presidency.

The battle to liberate Marawi continues two months after, with more than 420 militants, 100 soldiers and 45 civilians killed. Some of those were executed by the rebels, according to the military.

Government troops pulverized and retook some of the Maute strongholds after weeks of artillery attacks and airstrikes, but an estimated 70 militants remained holed up in the downtown area.

"The rebellion in Marawi continues to persist and we want to stop the spread of the evil ideology of terrorism and free the people of Mindanao from the tyranny of lawlessness and violent extremism," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

But martial law remains a sensitive issue in the Philippines as it brings back memories of human rights abuses that occurred in the 1970s under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

He was ousted in a "people power" revolt in 1986. Saturday's vote paves the way for the first ever extension of a period of martial law since the Marcos era.

Opponents expressed fears Duterte might eventually place the entire country under martial law, but the authorities have dismissed that.

Senator Franklin Drilon said the extension until end of the year was too long and Senator Risa Hontiveros, a staunch critic of Duterte, said martial law has "no strategic contribution to the military's anti-terrorism operations".

Congressman Edcel Lagman said there was "no factual basis" for martial law and that the siege in Marawi was terrorism, not rebellion.

Rebellion is one of the pre-conditions for declaring martial law under a 1987 constitution that was drafted to prevent a repeat of the Marcos era abuses.

Military chief General Eduardo General Año said retaking Marawi has proven difficult because it was the first time troops had engaged in a "Mosul-type, hybrid urban warfare", referring to the fighting in the Iraqi city until recently held by Islamic State. </s> President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday martial law in the southern region of Mindanao could last a year, as he vowed it would be similar to the late Ferdinand Marcos’s dictatorship.

“If it would take a year to do it, if it’s over within a month, then I’d be happy,” Duterte said in a video posted online by the government.

Addressing “our fellow Filipinos”, Duterte told them they had experienced martial law during the two-decade Marcos presidency, which ended with a “People Power” revolution in 1986.

“It could not be any different from what President Marcos did,” he said in the video, which was recorded just before cutting short a visit to Russia and flying back to the Philippines.

READ: Mindanao martial law to be ‘as harsh’ as that of Marcos — Duterte

Duterte vowed to be “harsh” in dealing with terrorism, telling Filipinos this was one of his election campaign promises last year.

“What I told everyone, do not force my hand into it. I have to do it to preserve the Republic of the Philippines, the Filipino people,” he said.

Duterte on Tuesday night placed all of the southern region of Mindanao, which makes up roughly one third of the country and is home to 20 million people, under martial law, following deadly clashes between security forces and Islamist militants.

READ: Martial law declared in Mindanao; Duterte to fly back home from Moscow

The constitution only allows martial law for 60 days in the event of rebellion or invasion.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella initially said martial law in Mindanao would last for 60 days.

However Duterte, who has caused controversy with a war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives, has repeatedly threatened throughout his presidency that he is willing to ignore the constitution if he needs to enforce martial law.

Duterte has also said he is willing to enforce martial law nationwide if it is needed to eradicate drugs in society.

The announcement came after security forces battled dozens of IS-linked gunmen in Marawi, a city of about 200,000 people in Mindanao, on Tuesday.

Marawi is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) south of Manila, the nation’s capital.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said one policeman and two soldiers were killed in the clashes, which began when security forces raided a house where they believed Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the infamous Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang and Philippine head of IS, was hiding.

Photos posted on social media by residents showed the gunmen walking through the streets of Marawi and placing black flags that looked similar to those used by IS.

Lorenzana said the gunmen, who were believed to number more than 100, had occupied a hospital and a jail, and burned down buildings including a Catholic Church.

He said many were hiding in buildings as snipers, making it difficult for security forces to combat them.

The Abu Sayyaf, based on the most southern islands of Mindanao, has kidnapped hundreds of Filipinos and foreigners since the early 1990s to extract ransoms. The United States lists it as a terrorist organization.
Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1972 by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, nationwide protests are conducted by various groups against the government's implementation of war on drugs and the ongoing martial law in the whole of Mindanao under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.