Security forces patrol in Davao city on Tuesday night following President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao area. (EPA photo)MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte placed the whole Mindanao region under martial law on Tuesday night, after terrorist group loyal to Islamic State occupied part of a southern city. "The president has called me and asked me to announce that as of 10pm Manila time (9pm Tuesday evening in Thailand), he has already declared martial law for the entire island of Mindanao," he said. Under the country's constitution, declaring martial law empowers the government to conduct warrantless arrests, effectively tightening its hold over a lawless area or a region beset by rebellion during its duration. "The whole of Marawi City is blocked out.

Source: Bangkok Post May 23, 2017 19:18 UTC