Officer injured in shooting incident at guard base opposite Philippine President Duterte's residence

An officer of the security group responsible for guarding and protecting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was shot at and injured in the Presidential Security Group (PSG) complex located opposite Malacanang Palace, the official presidential residence in Manila on 26 September.

The officer was shot inside the Malacanang Park. The incident is under investigation, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella quoted PSG spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Michael Aquino, as saying.

Aquino did not elaborate further on who the officer is or the extent of the officer's injuries, saying that they will issue an official statement, CNN reported.

It may be recalled that the Philippines' Senate and the House of Representatives in June had voted in favour of President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2017.

As Islamic militants continue to control Philippine city of Marawi, President Duterte has asked Congress to extend the martial law on the island of Mindanao through the end of 2017 to quell the rebellion.

President Duterte has rejected peace talks and said he wanted all the terrorists holed up in the city dead.

"I will not talk to you. Whatever the leaders of the group say, I don't care. That is why make sure you fight well because I have ordered [the military] to bring the heads of these sons of bitches," Duterte said .

Marawi was taken over on May 23 by insurgents from the Abu Sayyaf and Maute militant groups who were backed by foreign fighters. The seizure took place while Duterte and his top security officials were visiting Russia, prompted the president to cut short the trip and place the island of Mindanao,the second largest in the Philippines under military rule.

On July 21, Duterte said the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police recommended the five-month extension because it is necessary to cover the rehabilitation period for war-torn Marawi and to prevent the possible retaliation of terrorist sympathizers, CNN reported.

This is for the first time that Congress voted on the extension of a martial law proclamation.

-ANI