The Maute Group, a militant Islamic band fighting government troops near the southern Philippines city of Marawi last year, had asked for a cease-fire. “They said that they will go down upon Marawi to burn the place,” Mr Duterte recounted in December. Mr Duterte has declared 60 days of martial law for the southern island of Mindanao, which includes Marawi and his hometown, Davao City. Mr Duterte is the first president from Mindanao, and he ran last year as the candidate who could bring peace to the region. A peace process pursued by Mr Duterte’s predecessor, President Benigno S. Aquino III, faltered in 2015 and has remained deadlocked under Mr Duterte.

Source: Bangkok Post June 11, 2017 06:45 UTC