| Information |  | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
| ||
| Information | | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
| ||
27May17
Duterte to Congress: Marawi attack a prelude to Mindanao takeover
President Rodrigo Duterte has justified his declaration of martial law in Mindanao by pointing out in his report submitted to the Congress that the joint attack by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups in Marawi City was an important step to eventually take over the entire island.
"Considering the network and alliance-building activities among terrorist groups, local criminals, and lawless armed men, the siege of Marawi City is a vital cog in attaining their long-standing goal: absolute control over the entirety of Mindanao," he wrote in his report.
"These circumstances demand swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the Filipino people and preserve out national integrity," Duterte added.
-The President detailed the attacks performed by the terrorists in Marawi City beginning 2 p.m. in May 23, the same day he declared martial law in Mindanao.
"Latest information indicates that about seventy-five (75 percent) of Marawi City has been infiltrated by lawless armed groups composed of members of the Maute Group and the ASG," it said.
Beheading, foreign terrorists not mentioned
Upon his arrival from Russia on May 24, Duterte mentioned that a police chief of another Lanao del Sur town who happened to be in Marawi City when the terrorists attacked the area was beheaded.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces spokesperson Restituto Padilla Jr. and Solicitor General Jose Calida in a briefing on Friday morning said that there were Malaysians, Indonesians, Singaporeans, and other foreign jihadists who joined the Maute and Abu Sayyaf forces in Marawi City.
In the briefing, Padilla also mentioned about the beheading of a cop assigned in the area but did not give any further details.
However, these details were not included in Duterte's report to the Congress.
Duterte submitted to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III his report on martial law at 9:55 p.m. on Tuesday night. Both Congress leaders were in Davao City to join the President's special Cabinet meeting.
He declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 at 10 p.m. amid a supposed four-day official visit in Russia, after an ISIS-inspired group attacked Marawi City. Duterte immediately cut his trip short and arrived in Manila on May 24.
[Source: GMA News online, Phl, 27May17]
Donate
Radio Nizkor
Islamic paramilitary organizations
 | This document has been published on 29May17 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. |