China supports Duterte Martial Law: ‘His leadership will safeguard security in Mindanao’

China is strongly supporting the Philippine government’s efforts in suppressing terrorism by declaring martial law in Mindanao.

Maute background, links: Little-known group becomes formidable force in PH

The little-known group has raised its profile since President Duterte took office 11 months ago, most notably with a September 2016 bombing of a street market in the chief executive's hometown of Davao City.
NPA scouts in formation

‘Martial law not meant for you,’ Bello to Reds

The government’s chief negotiator to talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines called the reaction of communist rebels to the declaration of martial law in Mindanao “an insult” to President Rodrigo Duterte’s “candor and genuineness” in seeking a peaceful end to their close to 50-year old insurgency.

Tagle, Filipino priests in Rome offer prayers for Marawi victims

Filipino priests stationed in Italy led by Caritas Internationalis president, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, on Thursday offered a Mass for Marawi City residents amid the continuing violence in the Lanao del Sur capital.

No need to approve martial law – Congress leaders

The two chambers of Congress will hold separate closed-door briefings with executive and security officials because there is no need for them to approve President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, leaders of the House of Representatives said.

WATCH | Inside Marawi: Maute gunmen flaunt ‘presence’ as govt troops face tough task...

(UPDATE 3 - 11:16 p.m.) Residents of this besieged city unable to evacuate earlier have hunkered down, bracing for the worst, as government security forces faced the difficult task of flushing out members of the Maute terror group who continued to fire at will Thursday morning as if to flaunt their continued presence, three days since hostilities broke out.

Security tightened in Metro Manila ‘places of convergence’

Security forces maintained a heavy presence in so-called “places of convergence” in Metro Manila Thursday following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law over Mindanao, where operations are continuing to flush out gunmen of the Maute group from Marawi City.

No postponement of school opening – DepEd

The opening of classes for public elementary and high schools, including in Mindanao, which is under martial law, will push through as scheduled on June 5, the Department of Education said Thursday.

READ: No suspension of rights under martial law – DND

The declaration of martial law over Mindanao does not mean the automatic suspension of civil rights, not even of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the Department of National Defense said.

Bitcoin soars above $2,400 to all-time high

Digital currency bitcoin hit a fresh record high on Wednesday, surging above $2,400, as demand for crypto-assets soared with the creation of new tokens...

Fellow filmmakers, actors pay tribute to Gil Portes

Mike Sandejas, Jose Javier Reyes, Adolfo Alix, Alessandra de Rossi, Althea Vega and Elizabeth Oropesa say farewell.

Rights lawyers decry CA injunction vs Mary Jane’s testimony in case vs recruiters

Human rights lawyers helping with the prosecution of the couple who allegedly duped Mary Jane Veloso into becoming a drug mule decried the Court of Appeals injunction on the taking of the Filipina death row convict’s testimony against her recruiters.
Dredging at Mischief Reef

US warship sails within 12 miles of Mischief Reef

A US Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China, US officials said on Wednesday, the first such challenge to Beijing under US President Donald Trump.

Palace sends martial law declaration to Congress

Malacanang has formally transmitted the declaration placing Mindanao under martial law to Congress.

WATCH | Full trailer for ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 promises a ‘great war’

It teases a monumental clash between two of the HBO fantasy epic's most formidable females, Cercei and Daenerys.