Duterte ‘may be persuaded’ to extend martial law in Mindanao — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte “may be persuaded” to grant the recommendation of the military and the police to extend martial law in Mindanao, Malacañang said Monday, less than a month before it expires.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President would have to “evaluate whatever recommendations that the AFP and the PNP will give him.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez on Monday said the military wanted another one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Philippine National Police Chief Director Gen. Oscar Albayalde also said that the police wanted the extension of martial rule in the South.

“[G]iven the support of martial law in Mindanao, even by a Catholic bishop and the citizens there, the President may be persuaded to go on to approve the recommendation. But of course, again, that is the prerogative of the President,” Panelo said.

Duterte, Panelo said, would consider the safety of the people” in Mindanao in deciding whether or not to extend law in Mindanao.

“If the threat remains and there is still an ongoing rebellion, then, constitutionally, the basis would be valid for continuation of martial law,” he said.

The Palace official said Malacañang would leave it to Congress to determine whether or not it will approve the extension of martial law if the President decides to extend it.

“Again, the Constitution grants them the authority to decide whether or not it will extend martial law. So we’ll leave it to them,” he said.

Duterte declared on May 23, 2017 the whole Mindanao region under martial law after the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City.

Congress approved on December 2017 the one-year extension of martial law, which would expire on December 31, 2018. /je