MANILA, Philippines — Endorsing the idea that the attack in Marawi City was an "invasion," the government said on Friday that foreign terrorists were killed in the clash which has so far claimed 44 lives. "It has transmogrified into an invasion by foreign terrorists who heeded the clarion call of [the Islamic State]." Monsod suggested that Duterte could have chosen to declare martial law over Marawi instead of including the whole of Mindanao. Gen. Padilla said the foreign terrorist have been helping the local armed group in skills related to terrorism, particularly in bomb making. President Rodrigo Duterte has already placed Mindanao under martial law due to threat to security.

Source: Philippine Star May 26, 2017 07:20 UTC