BREAKING! Pres. Duterte declares 60-days martial law in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night, May 23, has declared Martial law in Mindanao after a clash erupted between the government forces and members of Maute terror group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a press conference in Moscow, Russia, announced that the Chief Executive called him to disseminate to the public his decision to declare Martial law in the entire beleagured region. “The President has called me and asked me to announce that as of 10 p.m., Manila time, he has already declared Martial law to the entire island of Mindanao,” Abella said.

Abella said the declaration of one-man rule in Mindanao will last for 60 days. “This was possible on the grounds of the existence of rebellion because of what is happening in Mindanao. Based on Article 7, Section 18 of the Constitution. It is as good for 60 days,” he added. Abella said Duterte made the pronouncement after meeting his group of advisers in Russia to discuss the current situation in Marawi City. The government troops is conducting ongoing operations against members of Abu Sayyaf and Maute group who were reported roving in the city.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who joined Abella in a press briefing, said two soldiers and one policeman were reported killed during the firefight while 12 others sustained injuries, as of 11:50 p.m., Tuesday. Lorenzana also confirmed that Maute bandits began occupying some establishments in the city like Amai Pakpak Medical Center, the City Hall, and the city jail. He also verified that the church, city jail, Ninoy Aquino School and Dansalan College have been set on fire by the group. “As of tonight (Tuesday, May 23), the Maute group burned several facilities – the church, city jail, the Ninoy Aquino School and the Dansalan College. The Maute fighters still occupy also the main street of Marawi city called the Quezon Street and two bridges,” Lorenzana said.

“Now, no civilians are roaming around; they are only in their houses. There are several houses that were also burned surrounding the other facilities that were burned. That is all that we can give you as the moment,” he added. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano also assured that the security of Filipino people, especially in Marawi and the whole Mindanao, “is a priority.”