President Duterte Declares Martial Law In Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi For 60 Days
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial
law in Mindanao on Tuesday, May 23, due to attacks carried out by the Maute
terror group in Marawi City, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
“In order to suppress lawless violence and rebellion and for
public safety it is necessary to declare Martial Law in the entire island of
Mindanao, including Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi for a period of 60 days,”
Abella said.
Tuesday afternoon in Moscow (evening in Manila), President
Duterte conferred with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Special
Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go on the declaration of
martial law in southern Philippines due to attacks carried out by ISIS-backed
Maute terror group in Marawi City.
In an interview in Moscow, Russia, Department of National
Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told the Philippine News Agency that
the clash in Marawi City is focused on neutralizing Isnilon Hapilon, former
leader of the kidnap for ransom Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) which had pledged
allegiance to Islamic State.
Hapilon was believed wounded when the military bombed his
hideout in Lanao del Sur last January.
“They are already there. In fact the leader in Basilan, Isnilon Hapilon, is actually, I think, he is the anointed leader of the group there,” Lorenzana said on PNA Exclusive.
He added that Hapilon transferred to central Mindanao and
organized the Maute Group.
“We were able to find out that he was there so we found
where he was hiding, so we bomb, but unfortunately he wasn’t taken. He was
wounded. And he kept dodging our operations,” the DND Chief said.
“Until now, there’s an ongoing fight in Marawi City because
the army found out where he was hiding. So hopefully, it will result to a good
score for the military,” Lorenzana said.
Source: PNA
President Duterte Declares Martial Law In Mindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi For 60 Days
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May 24, 2017
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