The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Friday that there are foreign fighters involved in the Marawi siege.
Solicitor General Jose Calida says law abiding citizens have nothing to fear of the Martial Law imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao. Behind him are Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella and designated spokesperson for the implementation of Martial Law, Brigadier General Resituto Padilla in a press conference in Davao City on Friday, May 26. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
Not bombing, but “surgical airstrikes with pinpoint accuracy” was how Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla described their operations against terrorist group Maute in Marawi City.
The Philippine National Police in Davao region (PRO-11) said the right to form a public assembly such as protests or rallies against the government will be curtailed with the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Karapatan strongly urge Duterte to immediately lift martial law in Mindanao, and to stop loaded caveats regarding putting the entire country under martial law. There are inviolable rights that cannot be foregone, regardless of place, time or context.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its top leaders said they are not in the position to question the factual basis of the declaration of martial law to contain the incident in Marawi City and prevent its escalation to other parts of Mindanao.
The Maute group called up a Roman Catholic bishop and threatened to behead a priest and 14 church workers unless the military stopped its operations in Marawi City.
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said the Martial Law in Mindanao declared by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday will target “anybody who will disrupt the peace.”
President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a special Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Duterte called for a special Cabinet meeting after declaring a state of Martial Law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 following a terrorist attack in Marawi City. (Presidential Photo)
Soldiers feed doves at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday, May 25 as government forces tighten security measures two days after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under Martial Law. The Martial Law will be enforced for 60 days. (Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
