Duterte declares martial law after Mindanao attack
24 May 2017
Emergency declaration follows heavy clashes between security forces and fighters in southern city of Marawi on Mindanao.
Duterte’s four-day trip to Russia was cut short because of the brazen attack on Mindanao [Reuters]
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao after about 100 Muslim fighters laid siege to a major city following a deadly gun battle with government forces.
The emergency declaration took immediate effect and will last for 60 days, according to presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, who made the announcement on Tuesday from Russia, where Duterte was on a scheduled four-day official visit.
The president “has already declared martial law for the entire island of Mindanao”, Abella said.
