Duterte wants 3rd ML extension

Manila - President Rodrigo Duterte has sought Congress to extend martial rule in Mindanao for another year, heeding the call of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

"The Palace confirms that the President has requested Congress to approve the further extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao for another year starting next month," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement, Friday, December 7.

Duterte has already sent a letter to the respective leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, containing his request to extend martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for another year, Panelo said.

"While it is now up to Congress to decide on whether this initiative by the President is justified or not, we are positive that it will share our views as ours are purely intended for the general welfare of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao," the Palace official said.

This is the third time the President has requested Congress to extend martial rule.

Mindanao was first placed under martial rule on May 23, 2017 after the Maute terror group laid siege in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur purposedly to build an enclave for Southeast Asia extremists.

Marawi City was declared liberated in October 2017, but Duterte asked the Congress twice to extend martial rule in the beleagured region, in an effort to completely quell insurgency.

Martial law in Mindanao will expire on December 31 this year, but if the Senate and the House of Representatives heed Duterte's recommendation, it will lapse until the end of 2019.