Philippines unrest

Filipino armed forces attacked militants of the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf in the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 26, using both air strikes and ground troops. During the operation, at least 31 militants were killed as well as 11 soldiers.

Filipino officials said that foreign fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia were among the militants killed. There is concern in the Philippines that Abu Sayyaf, which has declared allegiance with Daesh (ISIL), is importing foreign fighters to help create an Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

On May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that martial law would be enforced on the entire island of Mindanao. He later said that he was considering extending martial law to the entire nation.

On the morning of June 2, a gunman stormed a resort hotel and casino in Manila, firing into the ceiling and setting game tables on fire. At least 36 people were killed due to smoke inhalation. The gunman was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot in one of the hotel rooms. It is believed that the incident was a botched robbery, as the gunman stole casino chips and was identified as a man with large gambling debts.