Ex-president slams martial law

Time to flee: Residents walking past the entrance to Marawi towards an evacuation centre after government troops continued an assault on fighters from the Maute group in southern Philippines. — Reuters

MANILA: Ex-Philippine leader and democracy hero Fidel Ramos slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats to impose martial law, warning against inevitable abuses under military rule.

Duterte declared martial law for the southern region of Mindanao on Tuesday to combat what he said was the rising threat posed by the Islamic State group, after militants rampaged through a city triggering deadly battles that are yet to end.