MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte defended his imposition of martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday on the 101st birth anniversary of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos placed the entire country under Martial Law in 1972 supposedly to quell the threats posed by communists. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after terrorists linked with the Islamic State laid siege to Marawi City, torched establishments and kidnapped several civilians. Congress voted to extend martial law until the end of the year despite fears that it would lead to abuses. Otherwise, martial law will be toothless," the president added.

Source: Philippine Star September 11, 2018 11:48 UTC