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Philippine president says he's likely to extend martial law

Associated Press
Philippine president says he's likely to extend martial law

This May 23, 2017, handout photo provided by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signs Proclamation No. 216, declaring Martial Law and suspending the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the whole of Mindanao during his visit to the Russia Federation. Duterte declared 60 days of martial law on Tuesday across the southern third of the nation, an area that includes Marawi but extends well beyond it. ISIS-linked militants launched a violent siege in Marawi that sent thousands of people fleeing for their lives and raised fears of extremists gaining traction in the country. Presidential Communications Operations Office via AP/File

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine president says he is likely to extend 60 days of martial law he imposed in the country's south to deal with a deadly siege of a city by militants allied with the Islamic State group because the situation there remains critical.

President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he will only lift martial rule, which is to expire in about two weeks, if the military and police tell him the danger posed by the militants has abated.

Duterte has said an offensive against the militants is winding down in Marawi city, which was attacked by hundreds of gunmen waving IS-style black flags on May 23. But scores of gunmen are still holding hostages and continuing to fight in four areas of the city.
 

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