PDut to Congress: Extend Martial Law
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has formally asked Congress to further extend martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for one year.
His request, which was based on the recommendations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), was made roughly three weeks before martial law is set to expire.
In a December 8 letter addressed to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Duterte asked to extend martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for one year, or until December 31, 2018.
“I ask the Congress of the Philippines to further extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao for a period of one year, from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, or for such other period of time as
the Congress may determine, in accordance with Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” said Duterte.
Section 18, Article 7 of the Constitution states that a President’s declaration martial law and suspension of writ of habeas corpus can either be revoked or extended for a period determined by Congress through joint voting.
Duterte explained that the AFP, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies need more time to put a stop to the continuing uprising in Mindanao.
He added that the extension of martial law would allow the state forces to thwart the possible spread of terror acts to other parts of the country.
“A further extension of the implementation of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao will help the AFP, the PNP and all other law enforcement agencies to completely quell and put an end to the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and prevent the same from escalating to other parts of the country,” Duterte said.
“Public safety indubitably required such further extension, not only for the sake of security and public order, but more importantly to enable the government and the people of Mindanao to pursue the bigger task of rehabilitation and the promotion of a stable socio-economic growth and development,” he added.
Local Maute extremist group carried out attacks in Marawi City on May 23 while the military was conducting a manhunt operation against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao several hours after the armed conflict erupted. Under the Constitution, martial law may be declared for 60 days and may be extended by Congress, upon the recommendation of the President.
Congress extended martial law until December 31 this year.
Marawi has been liberated from the terrorists and government declared an end to the armed conflict on October 23, but authorities said threats remain.. SunStar Philippines