Senators, security officials meet on martial law extension in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Senators held an executive session on Monday to listen to the government’s request for Congress to extend the martial law declaration in Mindanao for another year.

The Senate immediately suspended its session after it resumed its session at 10 a.m.

Security officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. would  brief the senators on their recommendation to extend martial law until end of 2019.

The recommendation has been approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Police inspect vehicles along the national highway in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur, after President Duterte declared martial law all over Mindanao. INQUIRER MINDANAO / PHOTO BY JEOFFREY MAITEM

READ: Duterte asks Congress to extend Mindanao martial law until end 2019

Duterte first placed the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017, after the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City.

The martial law declaration was set to expire on July 2017 but the President asked Congress to extend it until December 31, 3017.

The  President asked again to extend it for another year or until December  31, 2018. /cbb