Troops Battle Militants In Southern Philippines; Military: Militants Control Only Small Pockets Of Marawi.
SESAY: Hello everyone, the Philippine military claim it's on the verge of retaking a city besieged by militant linked to ISIS. That's according to CNN Philippines, Marawi on the southern island in Mindanao has been under Martial Law now for a week.</s>VAUSE: The government says the fighting has killed more than 60 terrorists, 20 troops, and nearly 20 civilians.</s>RESTITUTO PADILLA, PHILIPPINE MILITARY SPOKESMAN: There was a need to do surgical air strikes because of strategically emplace enemy presence so we cannot do otherwise because if we do not employ combat power as we need it and it fit, we would prolong the tearing process and we would endanger more lives, both civilian and military.</s>VAUSE: And military says it is still trying to weed out pockets of resistance.</s>SESAY: All right, well let's go now to Richard Heydarian in Manila. He's a professor of political science at De La Salle University, thank you so much for joining us. In your view was President Duterte's decision to declare Martial Law in Mindanao warranted?</s>RICHARD HEYDARIAN, DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE (via Skype): Well its seems the situation in Mindanao is really getting out of control. One of the most troubling things we're talking about here is the presence of foreign fighters on the ground. People are suggesting that not only Malaysian or Indonesian jihadists but probably even Arab jihadists were joining the Maute Group also known as the Islamic State Lanao. So there this concern that the situation is getting out of control and the President may need all the necessary legal leeway to move forward. Nonetheless, that has also raised specter Marcos dictatorship when the Philippines had a Martial Law in the 70's and 80's, so the Philippine military pre-emptively has released a set of guidelines to make sure that this is not going to be a horrific resuscitation of the past experiences and that the Philippine military will respect the basic civil liberties and rights of the citizens to its utmost. Nonetheless, we are talking about urban warfare in Marawi, we are talking about a very serious situation. So, abuses could be very much on the table that is why it's important for the Philippine Congress and for the courts to remain functional and check and balances the Philippines military in its execution of the Martial Law.</s>SESAY: Given President Duterte's support in Congress, his overwhelming support, will Congress actually act as a check and balance to his power and how things play out in Mindanao?</s>HEYDARIAN: That's definitely a problem. I mean Duterte very popular, he has a super majority in the Congress, so I think in Mindanao he's going to get his way. In fact, 15 Philippine Senators recently released resolutions suggesting that they are supporting President Duterte Martial Law declaration in Mindanao. But I think once the declaration is extended beyond the conflict zone, let's say in Visayas and Northern Region where Manila is, I think that's where we're going to see opposition including from people within the government coalition unless the President really convinces the people that this is the only way forward. But then again, I think it's very important for the civil society groups for the international community and other institutions in the state to do their job and make sure that the President will responsibly use the additional powers and emergency powers is enjoying under Martial Law.</s>SESAY: Richard you just mentioned the possibility you raise the specter of Martial Law being extended or expanded beyond Mindanao, is this under consideration and is these raising concerns there in the Philippines?</s>HEYDARIAN: You know, when the President Duterte just returned from Russia to the Philippines after meeting Vladimir Putin he threatened to extend it beyond Mindanao. And the reaction was quite negative even amongst some of his allies. So, because there's a sense that, the problem is in Mindanao, where Duterte comes from but to extend it beyond there is going to raise serious question about the quality in how Philippine Democracy. So, I expect the opposition to build off, I think the President goes there, and I think even within the military there's no appetite for extending this beyond Mindanao knowing that they also have to protect their integrity and I think Philippine military over the past three decades has internalized the basic Democratic rights in the constitution and remember the role of the military is to be guardians of the constitution, not to just blindly follow the President. So, I think as far - as long the crisis in Mindanao Duterte will get his way but once this goes beyond Mindanao, resistance is going to build up even among his allies.</s>SESAY: Richard Heydarian we really appreciate the insight and analysis. Thank you so much for joining us.</s>HEYDARIAN: My pleasure.</s>VAUSE: ISIS is claiming responsibility for deadly bombing in central Baghdad. Warning, the image from the scene of the attack are graphic and disturbing. A car bomb exploded outside an ice cream shop as families gathering there to break their fast in the holy month of Ramadan. At least 10 people were killed and 40 others wounded. ISIS says the targets was Shiites. The terror group has carried out several similar attacks across the Iraqi capitol this year.</s>SESAY: A quick break here. And former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega has died. We'll have a look at his notorious rein and his downfall when we come back.</s>VAUSE: Plus, ahead, the Baltic States say they're swamped with disinformation from their neighbor. We'll tell you how Lithuania is fighting fake news from Russia.