“It would not be any different from what President [Ferdinand] Marcos did,” declared Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shortly after declaring martial lawacross the restive island of Mindanao. “I’d be harsh,” he warned.

The tough-talking Filipino president was on a five-day trip to Moscow, when news broke out that the Maute, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), laid siege to the city of Marawi, the biggest urban centre in the Muslim-majority provinces of the Philippines.

At first, the Philippine military tried to play down the situation by claiming that everything was under control. Yet, as hours went by, it became increasingly clear that the armed group was far from subdued, as it was still rampaging across the city, taking a Christian priest and several civilians hostage, and vowing to declare an Islamic State “Wilayat” (province) in Mindanao.

It will likely take weeks, if not months, before the Philippine government takes control of the situation since the ongoing violence has already forced thousands to flee Marawi to seek refuge elsewhere.

Update:

Duterte moots martial law for the Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a news conference at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. © Reuters

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte warned Wednesday he may declare martial law throughout the country if terrorism spills beyond Mindanao in the conflict-torn south.