BREAKING: Duterte declares Martial Law in Mindanao

On May 23, 2017 at around 10 PM, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law in the entire Mindanao in the middle of the ongoing clashes between the Maute group terrorists and government troops in Marawi City.

Reports said equipped men have assumed control over the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, with the gathering supposedly supplanting the Philippine flag with a dark banner, professedly representing the Islamic State (ISIS).



They have additionally apparently blocked checkpoints in the region.

Abella during a briefing in Moscow, said the President ordered him to make the announcement.

The President has decided to scrap his meetings in Moscow so he can fly home to deal with the crisis in Marawi

He said martial law in the area will be effective for 60 days.



"What the President has done is only for Mindanao including Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi," he said.

DFA Sec. Alan Cayetano said he has spoken to his counterpart in Moscow and Russian officials understand the situation.

"They understand that the president has to return to the Philippines. I will stay behind to sign agreements. The president feels he is needed in Manila ASAP," Cayetano said.

Source: ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, CNN Philippines

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