Duterte asks Congress for 1-year extension of martial law

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has formally asked Congress to extend martial rule and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

Duterte’s announcement came 20 days before the implementation of martial law expires and following the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) recommendation to extend its promulgation for a period of one year.

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, 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 needed more time to put a stop to the continuing uprising in Mindanao.