President Rodrigo Duterte has declared Martial Law in Mindanao.
This will last for 60 days.
This announcement was made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in a press conference in Moscow just before midnight on Tuesday (PH time).
Both officials are joining Duterte in his official trip to Russia.
The declaration of Martial Law has been prompted by the attacks in Marawi City staged by Maute group.
The rebels were reportedly out to rescue Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who is said to be in an area surrounded by government troops.
The armed forces are conducting operations in Marawi and in many other areas in the South.
There are reports that Maute group has occupied some main sites in Marawi City and that violence is prevailing in many portions of the city.
The President is cutting short his trip to Russia and is set to return to the Philippines.
His meetings with Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been cancelled.