Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned on Wednesday he would deal harshly with militants, after declaring martial law on Mindanao island following a failed raid on a hideout of ISIL-linked rebels.
Duterte cut short a visit to Russia and placed the southern Philippine island of 22 million people under military rule on Tuesday, and said he would keep it that way for a year if necessary.
Fighting abated in the mainly Muslim city of Marawi as troops sought to contain dozens of rebels of the Maute group, who escaped a botched raid on Tuesday on an apartment and took over streets, bridges and buildings and sought to block army reinforcements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes the Philippine president during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 23, 2017. /VCG Photo
Duterte is a Mindanao native and has long threatened martial law to destroy two groups linked to ISIL, which he warns is trying to gain a foothold in the Philippines.
He said the situation in Mindanao would be similar to the tough 1970s rule of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, remembered by many Filipinos as one of the darkest chapters of their recent history.
"To my countrymen who have experienced martial law, it would not be any different from what President Marcos did. I'd be harsh," Duterte said onboard a flight back to Manila, in a video sent by his staff.
"If it would take a year to do it then we'll do it. If it's over with a month, then I'd be happy. To my countrymen, do not be too scared. I'm going home. I will deal with the problem once I arrive."
Government troops at a checkpoint along a main highway in Pantar town, Lanao del Norte, May 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
Two soldiers and a policeman were killed and 12 people wounded in Marawi, where Maute fighters took over buildings and set fire to a school, a church and a jail.
The military and government gave few details about the clashes nor did they say if any rebels had been killed.
Authorities insisted the situation was under control but residents who fled told a different story and said Marawi was in the hands of the rebels, who had allowed civilians to leave.
A government soldier inspects a vehicle at a checkpoint along a main highway in Pantar town, Lanao del Norte, May 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
"The city is still under the control of the armed group. They are all over the main roads and two bridges leading to Marawi," student Rabani Mautum told Reuters in nearby Pantar town, where some residents were leaving in overloaded trucks.
(Source: Reuters)
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