Duterte: I won't allow abuses under martial law  

Despite his threat to criminals that he will deal with them harshly, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he would not allow abuses to be committed on civilians while Mindanao is under martial law.

"I assure you that I will not allow abuses. Congress will run, courts are open," he said in a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Moscow, Russia.

Duterte, however, said the writ of habeas corpus will be suspended in Mindanao.

"Checkpoint will be allowed, searches will be allowed, arrest without warrant will be allowed in Mindanao," he said.

He said he would also impose curfew in several provinces in the region, among them Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Tawi-Tawi.

Duterte said he declared martial law in Mindanao to preserve peace and order following Tuesday's attack of the Maute group, a self-described supporters of ISIS, in Marawi City.

During the press conference, Duterte said he may put the entire country under martial law if the terrorist ISIS reaches Luzon.

Military officials said five government troops were killed while 28 others were wounded as a result of sporadic clashes with Maute Group members in Marawi City. —KBK, GMA News