Philippines attacks IS-linked militants

– Philippine security forces bombed a southern city yesterday as they battled Islamist militants who were holding hostages and have been reported to have murdered at least 11 civilians.

An initial rampage by the gunmen, who have pledged allegiance

Marawi

to the Islamic State group, through the mainly Muslim city of Marawi on Tuesday prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law across the southern third of the Philippines.

“It is brutality, cruelty,” Duterte said on Wednesday after flying back to Manila.

The president, who has waged a controversial war on drugs that has claimed thousands of lives, warned martial law would be “harsh” and similar to military rule imposed by dictator Ferdinand Marcos a generation ago. –