Troops in the southern Philippines retook a disused building from Muslim militants last Wednesday, ending an intense five-day siege that killed dozens of fighters the authorities say had pledged allegiance to Islamic State. The incident highlights the challenges facing
President Rodrigo Duterte in keeping order, particularly in his native south, riven by nationalist rebellions for decades. The army said 30 security forces were wounded and 61 rebels killed in the operation against the Maute militants. The siege ended as Duterte visited injured soldiers in Lanao del Sur, where seven of his advance security team were wounded last Tuesday, when suspected Maute militias set off a bomb under their truck.