PH president admits considering martial law

Outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino III revealed that he considered declaring martial law in Sulu on the island of Mindanao within the past 3 weeks to fight the Abu Sayyaf Group, as the deadline for paying ransom drew nearer and the kidnap-for-ransom group threatened to behead a third foreign hostage. Aquino, however, was quick to point out that he did not push through with it, as martial law might do more harm than good. With the government operations against the terror group, Aquino said the Abu Sayyaf’s movements are now limited to two villages in the province of Basilan.

Read the full story on Rappler.

President Aquino called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize for the death of Robert Hall, the second Canadian hostage killed by the Abu Sayyaf in two months.