Philippines President Duterte declares martial law on Mindanao island

Unfortunately this is the only way to defeat them. They come to take over your country so you have to do what you have to do.

This man has no brain

How lucky is Duterte that these ISIS guys also brought the US marines in his country ... WOW

a reply to: Flanker86

You mean the ones that have been there for years helping the Philippines Marines fight the extremists on Mindanao?

a reply to: Flanker86

Care to explain what you mean exactly?

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

I've heard several people claim that it's really convenient that right after Duterte kicked US forces out (which he hadn't yet), ISIS comes in and takes over a city, requiring US forces to rush back and assist.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yeah because the PI had no problem with terrorists until now. And America has never assisted them before. And this is America's only chance to get in good with them. I don't think the US has any boots on the ground anyways.

Duterte is actually a fan of Trump, it was Obama that caused the rift. If I remember right Duterte said he wants the US gone 2 years from now meaning they can't possibly be gone.

Actually the US media and their reporting on the situation is likely to piss Duterte off even more and distance himself further from the US.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

We've had SF trainers in country for years. I think from before we closed our bases there. They occasionally go in and fight with their troops. There are P-3s and Raven UAVs there now assisting with ISR.

It makes me laugh that people think that ISIS just appeared there, and there was no real problem before. Every time I was ever there they had travel advisories for Mindanao. A couple times I was there just before or just after something happened in Manila too.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It's been a no go zone for white people and even non Muslim Filipinos for a long time. My wife's father needs armed guards when he goes there and a strict curfew.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

It probably will be for a long time to come too. They're no closer to getting rid of Abu Sayef now than they were 10 years ago.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: OccamsRazor04

It probably will be for a long time to come too. They're no closer to getting rid of Abu Sayef now than they were 10 years ago.

America may hate it, but Duterte's way has the best shot at making the problem go away, or be minimal. Although the terrorist problem will likely be a bigger one than the drug problem.

Todays news is that the situation is still ongoing.
Around 62 soldiers killed and over 200 Maute killed.

Civilians are still in Marawi...some are looting the houses of the rich that have left.

There are around 100 Maute still left but the army cannot fully attack becuase of the civilian presence.

Also today The New Peoples Army (communist)another anti Government group handcuffed Police in a Police station in Ilo Ilo and stole equipment.