President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with Manila-based police officials and all Mindanao regional directors two days after he declared martial law in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with top police officials led by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa in Davao City on Thursday, May 25.Duterte, who declared martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday, May 23, will meet with Manila-based police officials and all Mindanao regional directors, according to sources privy to the scheduled meeting.

They are expected to discuss the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.



Flying in from Manila are PNP Deputy Chief of Operations Deputy Director General Ferdinand Mendez, Directorate for Operations chief Director Camilo Cascolan, Directorate for Intelligence chief Director Gregorio Pimentel, and Special Action Force chief Director Benjamin Lusad. 



The 6 regional police directions will also be at the meeting.

Duterte, while in Russia for an official visit, placed Mindanao under martial law following clashes between government forces and suspected members of the terrorist Maute Group in Marawi City. At least two policemen and 5 soldiers were in the clashes. 



On May 23, Marawi City residents posted photos of armed men littering the city and hoisting ISIS flags. That same night, at least 3 fires broke out in the city.

The alleged Maute Group members also set free prisoners in at least two jails in the city. 



The defense department has issued guidelines for the Armed Forces in the implementation of martial law. Written orders from Malacañang were only transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives Wednesday evening, May 24, or hours after Duterte arrived from Russia. 



Under the Constitution, martial law may only be imposed up to 60 days. If the President wants it extended, Congress – which is dominated by Duterte's allies – needs to approve it. The Supreme Court may also review the basis for the declaration if a case is filed before it. (READ: Martial Law 101: Things you should know)



Duterte cited the Maute Group clash in Marawi and previous encounters in Mindanao as basis for his declaration. (READ: Duterte says martial law due to ISIS threat)



The President is also set to meet have a Cabinet meeting in Davao City at 4 pm on Thursday. – Rappler.com </s> Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that the martial law imposed in the southern island of Mindanao, might also be extended to the rest of the country if the terror threat escalates

Duterte announced the measure on Tuesday night after militants attacked the city of Marawi in Mindanao, killing three and wounding over 10.

He said the martial law will be withdrawn only after the police and the army have confirmed that the situation in Mindanao is stable, Efe news reported.

“We must move fast to restore normalcy. If it takes one week, I will be happy, but if it takes five years of my term, I will not withdraw it,” the President said, referring to the martial law.

According to the country’s current constitution, the martial law can be applied for a maximum period of 60 days, after which the Congress decides if an extension is required.

“If I think the ISIS has got a foothold in Luzon, I might declare martial law throughout the country to protect the people,” Duterte asserted.

On Tuesday, militants from the Maute group — an organization linked to the Islamic State — had captured Marawi, a city with a population of 200,000 people, and laid siege on a hospital for hours, and set a church, a college and the city’s prison to fire, while holding over 10 people hostage.

The Maute group is an Islamic armed organization based in Lanao del Sur that first emerged in 2012 under the name of Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM), but adopted the name EI-Ranao two years later to indicate its affiliation with the IS. </s> MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte late on Tuesday, TASS news agency cited the Kremlin as saying, instead of meeting on Thursday as originally planned.

Duterte on Tuesday declared martial law in southern Mindanao province after fighting raged in southern Marawi City between the army and militants linked to Islamic state.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. </s> President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said “war” and “street fighting” have forced him to declare martial law in Mindanao.

“There is a war going on and street fighting in Marawi itself,” he said during his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Duterte arrived in Manila after cutting short his official visit to Russia where he met President Vladimir Putin.

He said he does not know how many buildings were burned down and that there are reports that some people have already been decapitated.

“Government must put an end to this. I cannot gamble with ISIS because they are everywhere,” he said.

“By virtue of the powers vested in me and the constitution and the law, I had to declare martial law in the Mindanao group of island for a period of not more than 60 days, effective May 23, 2017,” Duterte said. “The privilege of the write of habeas corpus is also suspended.”

On Tuesday evening, the President announced that he has declared martial law in Mindanao. In the past, Duterte has said he was willing to declare martial law if it meant “preserving” the Republic of the Philippines.

Clashes between government security forces and the armed men, led by Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, started on Tuesday afternoon. There were also reports of explosions and fires. Some individuals have claimed that civilians were taken hostage although government officials have yet to confirm such reports.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Maute group, which had pledged allegiance to the international terror group ISIS, has occupied several facilities in the city, including a hospital.

In his speech, Duterte confirmed that the Maute group has taken over a hospital and burned down government facilities.

He said the flying of the flag of the Islamic State and taking over of the other actions of the armed groups has “deprive(d)” the local chief executive of his powers to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao.

Duterte said what the Maute group did constituted the crime of rebellion.

The Maute group was previously tagged in the bombing of a Davao City night market in September last year that killed 15 people.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that, “In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.”

On Wednesday morning, Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said the tension has died down and that the city hall has been secured. </s> Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez says the 'isolated incident' that prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao will not counter the country's growth momentum

MOSCOW, Russia – The Philippines' trade and tourism chiefs sought to downplay concerns that the imposition of martial law in Mindanao would set back their sectors.

In a news conference here on Wednesday, May 24, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez called the continuing attacks of the Maute group in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, an "isolated incident" that won't stunt the country's economic growth.

He said he would give this assurance to Russian businessmen during the Philippines-Russia business forum he was to address that day.

"We want to project that what happened yesterday was really an isolated incident," he said.

"We want to project that the Philippines has this growth momentum; that that incident will not, in any way, counter the growth momentum we have," he added.

It was the "isolated" situation in Marawi that convinced President Rodrigo Duterte to make good on his threat to declare martial law in Mindanao. The Chief Executive volunteered in a news briefing upon his arrival in Manila on Wednesday that he might consider expanding martial rule nationwide if the terror threat persist.

The Maute group held a hospital and other establishments in Marawi, driving Marawi residents to flee to nearby provinces.(READ: Thousands flee Marawi to escape clashes)

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said her office will continue promoting Philippine tourism despite the martial law declaration. (READ: LOOK: Proclamation No. 216)

She expressed confidence that tourists would "still come" despite martial rule in Mindanao, even after Duterte himself confirmed that the threat of the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) justified the declaration. (READ: Duterte says martial law due to ISIS threat)

"We will continue to promote the Philippines as a destination in spite of the martial law. I am confident tourists will still come to the country," she said.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano expressed confidence that Duterte's martial law declaration will be short-lived, as the new Cabinet official counted on the military to deal with the problem swiftly.

"Of course the travel advisories will one way or another will [affect] us but they have pretty good intelligence which areas are safe," said the country's top diplomat.

"We're all praying it will be a short period and the President said as soon as the problem is solved, he will lift it," said Cayetano. – Rappler.com </s> President Rodrigo Duterte visited Marawi City again on Thursday, the fifth time since the fighting between government troops and Islamic State-inspired terrorists started on May 23.

Duterte made the visit to war-torn city as protesters mounted mass actions in Metro Manila on the “National Day of Protest.”

The President was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Eduardo Año, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go during his visit.

During his visit, Duterte said he would lift martial rule in Mindanao once Marawi has been cleared, especially of improvised explosive devices. He did not give a timeline.

The President placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after the Maute group laid siege to Marawi City.

A total of 673 terrorists, 47 civilians and 149 government troopers have died since the clashes started, according to latest official data. </s> MANILA Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cut short a visit to Russia and imposed martial law on the island of Mindanao on Tuesday after a fierce bout of fighting erupted during a raid by security forces at a hideout of Islamic State-linked militants.Two soldiers and a policeman were killed and 12 wounded amid chaos in Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city of about 200,000 people, where members of the Maute militant group took control of buildings and set fire to a school, a church and a detention facility.Duterte, a native of Mindanao, cancelled a meeting set for Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Tass news agency said President Vladimir Putin would see him before his departure Tuesday night, instead of on Thursday as planned. "The government is in full control of the situation and is fully aware that the Maute/ISIS and similar groups have the capability, though limited, to disturb the peace," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told a news conference in Moscow.The Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and have proved fierce opponents for the military as Duterte seeks to crush extremists and prevent radical Islamist ideology from spreading in the Philippines.Abella said the militants "have shown no hesitation in causing havoc, taking innocent lives and destroying property."Duterte has warned repeatedly that Mindanao, an impoverished, restive region the size of South Korea, was at risk of "contamination" by Islamic State fighters driven out of Iraq and Syria.

Brigadier General Rolando Bautista, commander of the Philippines' First Infantry Division, said security forces were trying to locate militants who had scattered everywhere and were blocking reinforcements from arriving."There are more or less 100, divided into groups of 10 in different locations," Bautista told news channel ANC."Since they are advocating ISIS ideology they have to show ISIS that they are a force to be reckoned with."

FIERCE FIGHTERS

 Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said and some 1,000 soldiers would be in Marawi by morning, but warned civilians to stay in their homes."There are Maute snipers all around, so the troops are still holding and elements have already joined," he said.The purpose of Tuesday's raid was to capture Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group which is notorious for piracy and for kidnapping and beheading Westerners. The U.S. State Department has offered a bounty of up to $5 million for Hapilon's arrest.

The military has not explained how the raid on an apartment turned into urban warfare that was still raging 12 hours later.The incident highlights the challenges facing Duterte, who has pleaded with separatists and moderate Muslims in the predominantly Catholic nation to shun Abu Sayyaf and Maute. He has threatened several times to declare martial law in Mindanano, and deliver a "harsh" crackdown. Martial law will apply for 60 days.The government has blamed the Maute for a bombing in September 2016 at a street market in Duterte's hometown of Davao City, which killed 14 people and wounded dozens.Maute fighters took over a disused building in the region in November and endured five days of military air and ground assaults before fleeing, with 61 fighters killed. (Editing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Mark Trevelyan)

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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> Members of the House of Representatives welcomed the Supreme Court ruling upholding President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 which declared martial law in Mindanao at the onset of the Maute terror group attack last May.

In a majority vote, the Supreme Court on July 4 affirmed President Duterte’s declaration of martial law.

Eleven justices voted to uphold the president’s declaration over all of Mindanao, said Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te in a press briefing.

Three others voted to limit the declaration to Marawi City, the conflict zone. A lone justice, meanwhile, voted to nullify the proclamation altogether.

The decision validated Duterte’s declaration on May 23, when he placed the entire Mindanao under military rule following clashes between government troops and Islamic State-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf group terrorists in the Islamic city of Marawi.

It dismissed several petitions that questioned the basis of the president’s declaration.

In justifying his declaration, President Duterte had told Congress in a report that the extremists were planning to create an Islamic State province in Mindanao.

Several petitioners- opposition lawmakers, leftist leaders and four women from Marawi City- had asked the high court to invalidate the martial law declaration over all of Mindanao, saying there was no basis for military rule.

They asserted that the President could have addressed the crisis even without declaring martial law, saying the conflict was confined within Marawi City.

During oral arguments from June 13 to 15, magistrates sought government’s clarification on the President’s reasons for placing all of Mindanao under martial rule amid clashes between state troops and terrorists in Marawi City.

Solicitor General Jose Calida insisted that “all the elements of rebellion were present” when Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216. The President also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to allow police to make warrantless arrests of terror suspects.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (2nd District, Surigao del Norte), chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs, lauded the SC decision and commended the 11 justices who saw the light and wisdom in President Duterte’s decision in declaring martial law in Mindanao.

“Being a Mindanaoan myself, I share the President’s insight and knowledge of the culture and mentality of the people there. This is a clear vindication of President Duterte’s resolve to crush the Maute rebellion at all cost. Putting the entire Mindanao under Martial Law proved to be a wise move as it prevented possible reinforcements from reaching the rebels in Marawi. This is a victory for every peace-loving Filipino who condemned the senseless loss of lives in that rebellion,” said Barbers.

Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, said the Supreme Court has proven that the Filipino people should support President Duterte.

“Our Muslim brothers must do their part in rebuilding Mindanao in order that the Mindanaoans can see and feel the funds and infrastructure projects of the National Government. It’s bringing the government to the people,” said Mercado.

Rep. Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque), chairman of the committee on games and amusements, said the Supreme Court ruling is good for the country.

“It avoids a constitutional crisis. It also recognizes that the problem in Mindanao is complex, and the solution is something that the judiciary must not impede the executive from achieving. Now more than ever, we must rally behind President Duterte and the rest of his government in their efforts to stamp out the Daesh and its attempt to bring radicalism and violence to our country,” said Tambunting.

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said that even before the congressional break, he mentioned that the incident in Marawi may be difficult to contain, with the news coming out that there were pre-positioned fighters, well-armed and well-equipped with unlimited supply of ammo. He said the events justified the President’s martial law declaration, and the SC ruling settled it.

“Iyong extension (ng martial law) is a call of the House and the Senate, if the President will ask for it. I think it’s more of a military decision and the President will be guided accordingly by the decision of the military. I think the situation is still far from being normal. An extension may be in order,” Suarez said.

Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability, said martial law in Mindanao may be extended to solve the big problem confronting Marawi City.

“Nakita naman po natin na almost 400 na ang namatay and marami na ang napinsala sa Marawi, and in fact, kapag hindi pa ito mabibigyan ng lunas baka ma-extend pa ang martial law, I will still support it,” said Pimentel.
President Rodrigo Duterte declares martial law in the island of Mindanao after Maute militants clash with army troops in Marawi, Lanao del Sur.