President of the Philippines imposes martial law in connection with Islamist attack

25.05.2017, Philippines.

Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, imposed martial law in the province of Mindanao directly from the Russian capital, the website of the President of Russia reported on May 24.

Rodrigo Duterte, the Filipino leader, came to Moscow for a scheduled visit.  Purchases of the Russian-made arms and manufactured products, as well as cooperation in the energy sector, were the topics of negotiations.

However, the situation in the Filipino province of Mindanao, which takes up nearly a third of the country, sharply deteriorated during the official visit after it was subjected to a powerful attack by terrorists from the ISIL (organization banned in Russia).  As a result of the attack, one of the cities was captured.  Now, clashes with the Islamists continue.

President Rodrigo Duterte was forced to impose martial law directly from the Russian capital and to prepare an emergency flight home.  The planned meeting with Vladimir Putin was held, albeit ahead of schedule.

“I apologize for causing changes to your work schedule. You are aware of the situation in the province of Mindanao: ISIL units have taken partial control of this province.  Clashes and fighting continue.  I have to fly there.  Of course, we consider Russia to be our close friend.  We would like to work on further strengthening our bilateral relations; our country needs modern weapons.  We had several contracts to buy weapons from the US, but now the situation there is not very stable. We need modern weapons to fight ISIL,” said Roderigo Duterte.

All planned negotiations will be worked out despite the Filipino leader’s urgent flight back.  A significant delegation of Filipino representatives remains in Moscow in order to finish signing the agreements.

Islamic militants from four extremist groups joined forces and announced the establishment of ISIL  (organization banned in the Russia) on the island of Mindanao, a Philippine province, in January 2016.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

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