President Rodrigo Duterte placed the restive region of Mindanao under martial law in May after ISIS-linked militants took over the principal Islamic city of Marawi. “We fear the situation could deteriorate further if the extension of martial law until the end of 2018 results in even greater militarization,” the UN experts said. At that time, the experts’ call was endorsed by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns. Two other representatives of the Manobo community protesting against human rights violations, mining operations and land conversions, were shot in front of their community members by alleged paramilitary forces. Duterte earlier threatened to bomb Lumad schools that he said were run by communists to influence the youth to rebel against the government.

Source: Philippine Star December 29, 2017 05:26 UTC