Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds a press conferences at Manila International Airport in Manila on May 24, 2017. Rodrigo Duterte warned on Wednesday that he is considering placing the entire country under martial law, saying the militants might continue to sow more terror not only in southern Philippines but also in other parts of the country. (Xinhua/Wang Yu)
MANILA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned on Wednesday that he is considering placing the entire country under martial law, saying the militants might continue to sow more terror not only in southern Philippines but also in other parts of the country.
Duterte declared on Tuesday night martial law for 60 days on the island of Mindanao and nearby island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi after clashes between the army and militants with alleged links to Islamic State (ISIS) in Marawi, provincial city of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines.
Duterte made the declaration while on an official visit to Russia, which he was forced to cut short after the Marawi City violence broke out around Tuesday afternoon.
At a news conference shortly after arriving from Russia, Duterte said that he is considering expanding the scope of martial rule to nearby Visayas region and even the entire country, including the main Luzon island.
"If I think that the ISIS has already taken foothold also in Luzon, and terrorism is not really far behind, I might declare martial law throughout the country to protect the people," Duterte said.
"I may decide to expand the area to include Visayas because it is a walking distance actually," Duterte said, referring to the proximity of the Visayas region to Mindanao.
He added he might also decide to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in the Visayas. "Remember that this is not intended for the law-abiding citizens. We are the least of your worries," he said.
Visayas region is a group of island provinces in the central Philippines, just above Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines.
Duterte said he is eyeing imposing a curfew in certain areas in Mindanao, including Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabao and maybe in Zamboanga City. He said he will decide after the cabinet meeting later Wednesday.
"I will not hesitate to do everything to protect and preserve the Filipino people," Duterte said.
Meantime, the government said thousands of Marawi residents have fled to avoid the conflict. At least 800 of those who evacuated are now staying in the provincial capital.
Some reportedly fled to nearby Iligan City and towns. A local official said at least four villages are now affected by the violence.
Duterte said there is compelling reason to declare martial law in Mindanao group of islands, saying the series of terrorist acts committed by the Maute group continued and resulted in the deaths of many people including policemen and soldiers.
Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said that five army soldiers and two police officers have so far been killed and at least 33 soldiers wounded in the ongoing sporadic fighting. He said 13 Maute members have also been killed.
Duterte said these atrocities continued even after he placed the Philippines under a state of national emergency in September last year following the deadly bombing in Davao City, his home city.
"We are still in the state of emergency, sporadic skirmishes with the Maute group continue, showing the group's capability to sow terror and unleash harassment and inflict destruction not only in Lanao del Sur but also in other parts of Mindanao and even in the Visayas," Duterte said on the news conference.
"I do not know how many buildings were destroyed. But the chief of police, while he was heading home, was stopped in a checkpoint manned by the terrorists, and I think (the terrorists) decapitated him right there and then," he said.
"These things government cannot allow. It is an open defiance and the violence, the atrocities continue," Duterte said, adding "the government must put an end to this."
Duterte added, "I can not gamble with ISIS because they are everywhere, and you know what is happening or you must be very aware of what happened in the Middle East."
Duterte vowed to be harsh in enforcing the law this time.
"I had to declare martial law in the Mindanao group of islands for a period of not exceeding 60 days, effective as of May 23, 2017," he added.
He said the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is likewise suspended in Mindanao for the duration of martial law.
