Martial law has been enforced in the southern Mindanao region in the Philippines as President Duterte looks to quell an attempt by Muslim extremists who tried to siege Marawi City as reported by ABC news. The extremists are from an allied group called the Maute, one of the new armed Muslim extremist groups that have formed a loose alliance in the Philippines and have pledged allegiance to the Islamic state. The Maute's leader, Isnilon Hapilon, is an Arabic-speaking preacher known for his expertise in commando assaults. He pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014 and was designated the leader of the loose alliance. He is also on the U.S. Department of Justices' list of most wanted terrorists worldwide with a $5 million reward for his capture.
The fighting is reported to have started when military troops attacked the hideout of Hapilon. From there nearly 50 gunmen entered the city where 20 of them took position at a hospital where they raised a black Islamic flag at the gate. Another 10 gunmen battled police and troops near the provincial jail. In an effort to prevent Hapilon from escaping, all major entry and exit points were sealed off by troops. Military Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said, "They did some burnings, they showed up in another area so it looked chaotic, but it's actually a small group facing an overwhelming number of government forces." The gunmen also occupied city hall and burned a Catholic church, a college and some houses in the attack.
President Duterte was in Moscow but left abruptly after learning of the attempted siege of the city. Duterte declared martial law for 60 days but said that depending on how long the problem could be quelled that it could last for a year. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a press conference in Moscow that was broadcast live in the Philippines that "The whole of Marawi city is blacked out, there is no light, and there is Maute snipers all around." Duterte's martial law will allow government forces to carry out more searches and arrests of rebel soldiers.
While in Moscow Duterte met with Russian President Vladimir Putin where he said that he was counting on Russia to supply weapons to the Philippines for them to use to fight terrorism. He has also ordered his military to destroy small extremist groups that align themselves to the Islamic State. However, human rights organizations have expressed fear and worry that the martial law could be used to further power Duterte who they have accused of allowing the killings of thousands of those associated with drugs as his "war on drugs" continues.
