Philippine Congress set to convene to act on request for extension

  MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to allow him to extend Martial Law on Mindanao until the end of the year because the "existing rebellion" on the predominantly Muslim island would not end on July 22, according to presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella. The 60th day when military rule on Mindanao is supposed to end falls on July 22. The Philippine Constitution allows Martial Law imposed on an area in the Philippines or on the entire country for 60 days only. Duterte imposed Martial Law on Mindanao on May 23 following a siege by Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists on the city of Marawi, capital of the western Mindanao province of Lanao del Sur. The attackers were aided by foreign fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia. In a letter to Congress on Tuesday, Duterte said: "Upon a thorough personal assessment of the current situation in Marawi City and other parts of Mindanao and taking into account the reports and recommendations of the Secretary of National Defense as martial law administrator, the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as martial law implementor and the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), I have come to the conclusion that the existing rebellion in Mindanao which prompted me to issue Proclamation 216 on 23rd May 2017, will not be quelled completely by the 22nd July 2017 – the last day of 60-day period provided under Section 18 Article VII of the 1987 Constitution." "For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st December 2017 or for such a period of time as the Congress may determine the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao," Duterte letter also said. Under the Constitution, only Congress can allow an extension of Martial Law imposed by the President. Duterte met with lawmakers early this week and discussed with them the extension of Martial Law on Mindanao. Congress is set to meet on Saturday to act on Duterte's request. He warned of attacks that may be launched in places in Mindanao like Basilan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City and Zamboanga City, as well as bombings in "vital areas" on the island, including Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, senators held a closed-door briefing with national security officials yesterday (Wednesday) and according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, majority of the senators were convinced that there is a need to lengthen the duration of Martial Law on Mindanao but were divided if it should be extended up to the end of the year, a statement shared by Senators Joel Villanueva, Grace Poe and Richard Gordon. Drilon expects the duration and coverage of Martial Law would be debated upon in a special session by Congress this weekend. Senate Presdent Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he favors an extension of Martial Law but only the affected area and for a shorter period. After the briefing led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Eduardo Año and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Drilon commended the military for implementing Martial Law in Mindanao without incidents of human rights violations and abuses unlike during the Martial Law imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. 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