MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines would never become a province of extremist group ISIS, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, as he praised soldiers who fought during the Marawi siege. “We will never allow the Islamic State to make the Philippines its regional center,” he added. ISIS-inspired local terrorists occupied Marawi City for more than four months starting May 23, prompting Duterte to place the entire Mindanao under martial law. Duterte declared Marawi liberated from terrorists last October but has not lifted martial law in Mindanao because of supposed threats in other provinces. Duterte commended the soldiers and policemen for their sacrifices that led to the defeat of terrorists in battle-ravaged Marawi.

Source: Philippine Star December 20, 2017 12:33 UTC