Duterte seeks martial law extension in south
manila — President Rodrigo Duterte plans to extend martial law in the southern Philippines to defeat militants who have seized a major city, his spokesman said on Tuesday, as a critic warned the country could be edging towards a dictatorship.
Duterte had imposed military rule for 60 days in the Mindanao region, home to 20 million people, after gunmen waving black Daesh flags occupied Marawi city on May 23, triggering clashes that have killed more than 500 people.
While scores of militants continue to hold out against government forces nearly two months later, critics expressed surprise by his request for a martial law extension until December 31.
“I have come to the conclusion that the existing rebellion in Mindanao which has prompted me to issue (the martial law proclamation), will not be quelled completely by 22nd July 2017,” Duterte said in a letter to congressional leaders.
Congress is to convene on Saturday to discuss the request of Duterte, who met with congressional leaders late Monday, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
The president also asked Congress to suspend a constitutional safeguard against warrantless arrests. “This is not only a step back, but several steps back for our democracy,” said opposition lawmaker and prominent martial law critic Edcel Lagman. —