Marawi makes up roughly one third of the Philippines
Duterte, Philippines’ controversial leader has declared martial law on the city of Marawi after an ISIS affiliated terrorist group captured the city, beheading its police chief and taking priests and other worshippers captive in a church.
“We are in a state of emergency,” Duterte said on Wednesday. “I have a serious problem in Mindanao and the ISIS footprints are everywhere.”
According to NBC, he declared martial rule for 60 days in the entire Mindanao region whose population is estimated to be about 22 million.
“If I think that you should die, you will die,” he said. “If you fight us, you will die. If there is open defiance, you will die. And if it means many people dying, so be it.”
He also made it known that he will declare a nationwide martial law if ISIS gains a stronger foothold.
The attack commenced soon after military stormed the hideout of Abu Sayyaf’s commander.
The militants forced their way into a Marawi Cathedral and seized a Catholic priest, 10 worshipers and three church workers.
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