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[av_heading heading=’ China backs PH martial law, ‘crackdown on terrorism’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Friday, May 26, 2017
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BEIJING – China expressed support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
“Terrorism is the common enemy of mankind,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a news conference. “China understands and firmly supports the Philippine government in cracking down on terrorism.”
Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law in the evening of May 23 while in a state visit to Russia after the clash between government troops and the Islamic State-linked Maute group in Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur province.
The Maute group, which has declared allegiance to the Islamic State, reportedly burned buildings, including a Roman Catholic church, and took a priest and several worshipers hostage.
Around 18 people, including five soldiers, were killed and 31 others were wounded in the ensuing firefight, media reports said.
Duterte cut short his five-day official visit to Russia to personally attend to the conflict.
“We believe under the leadership of President Duterte, the Philippine government will surely safeguard security and stability in the Mindanao region,” Lu told the press.
The Maute group’s attack in Marawi City happened a day after a bomb explosion killed at least 22 people and injured 59 others after the concert of American singer Ariana Grande in Manchester, England. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Duterte also sent his “deepest sympathies” to the families of the victims of the Manchester incident. (PNA)
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