Reports suggest that two soldiers and one police officer were fatalities.The news came out of Moscow where the President was visiting. It was revealed that Mindanao, which accounts for almost one-third of the country, would be under martial law for 60 days. The law would ‘suppress lawless violence and rebellion and for public safety,’ he said. President Duterte cut his trip to Russia short to return to Manila.

Mooted for months

Martial law in the region has been on the cards for some months with the President Duterte most recently stating in March, that he was considering martial law to further his campaign to crackdown on the country's drug trade. Business leaders are mixed over whether the move would be good for the future of the economy.