PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has justified his martial law declaration by citing the ongoing Marawi City clashes as proof that local terror group Maute wants to control Mindanao, a critical step in its goal of establishing a wilayat or Islamic State (IS) province. “The group’s occupation of Marawi City fulfills a strategic objective because of its terrain and the easy access it provides to other parts of Mindanao. Lawless armed groups have historically used provinces adjoining Marawi City as escape routes, supply lines, and backdoor passages,” he added. Inciting rebellion is one of the grounds for declaring martial law, as stated in the 1987 Constitution. He declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 in Moscow, and cut short a four-day official visit in Russia.

Source: Manila Times May 26, 2017 16:41 UTC