Why Rodrigo Duterte Declared Martial Law In Southern Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, third right, talks to troopers during his visit in Jolo, Sulu province, Mindanao, southern Philippines.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, third right, talks to troopers during his visit in Jolo, Sulu province, Mindanao, southern Philippines. Presidential Communications Operations Office via AP
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, third right, talks to troopers during his visit in Jolo, Sulu province, Mindanao, southern Philippines.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, third right, talks to troopers during his visit in Jolo, Sulu province, Mindanao, southern Philippines. Presidential Communications Operations Office via AP

Why Rodrigo Duterte Declared Martial Law In Southern Philippines

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Violence has erupted in the Muslim-majority city Marawi, as the Philippine military tries to regain control from ISIS-allied militants there. President Rodrigo Duterte declared a 60-day period of martial law in the southern Philippines, and said he may even expand it nationwide.

Last week, The Intercept published an article alleging it obtained a full transcript of American President Donald Trump’s call with Duterte. The online publication claims Trump “enthusiastically endorsed Duterte’s murderous drug war”, and repeatedly discussed the possibility of a U.S. nuclear strike on North Korea. 

We discuss the current political climate in the Philippines and U.S. relations with Alfred McCoy, a history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s author of the book, In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power.