RantCrush Top 5: May 24, 2017

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law for the whole island of Mindanao after gunfire erupted between national security forces and militants. The Maute Group, which is linked to ISIS, occupied major buildings in Marawi City and allegedly set some of them on fire, including a jail, a church, and a college building. The conflict started when government officials tried to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of another Islamist extremist group called Abu Sayyaf. At least two soldiers and one police officer were killed during the gunfight, and 12 members of the security forces were injured.

Alleged ISIS members trying to occupy Marawi City. Reports say Landbank under siege.
Photos not mine but from relatives on site. pic.twitter.com/CD5Ucvar0d

— SSM-U (@attysamina) May 23, 2017

Reportedly, both of the extremist groups have pledged allegiance to ISIS and said they will increase the number of violent attacks in the mostly Catholic country. Duterte announced the decision during a visit to Moscow and said he would cut the trip short. The martial law is supposed to last for 60 days, but Duterte also said, “If it would take a year to do it, then we’ll do it. If it’s over within a month, then I’d be happy.”

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.