Duterte is losing the plot

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte emerged from a week's hiatus to again limply suggest last weekend that Islamic State (IS) may have planted "deep roots" in the Philippines. He had asserted similarly in May when declaring a constitutionally-mandated 60-day martial law in historically-troubled Mindanao.

After five weeks, government forces are struggling to end the Marawi "siege", though he insists that it is "winding up". The renewed contention gives Mr Duterte a more truculent pretext to extend martial law across the archipelago, replicating the corrupt Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. At least two fronts are converging in Mindanao that might test Mr Duterte's grit and credibility.

The premeditated murder of small-time drug users by his police and paid vigilantes emasculates his political legitimacy while heightening his criminality in international law. His presidency is now being laid bare. He might enjoy 80 per cent popularity at home but his ramblings and rants suggest he is clueless on how to deal with growing rebellions on the southern island. He ought to know, having swanked his violent "fixer" credentials as Davao mayor. Like Donald Trump, Mr Duterte looks to have bitten off more than he can chew.