Senators’ briefing on 1 year martial law extension request set

Security officials will brief senators on Tuesday on the proposed one year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

In a media advisory late Sunday night, the office of Senator Grace Poe said the hearing of the Senate committee on public information and mass media on fake new slated on Tuesday has been postponed “to give way to the martial law extension briefing for senators.”

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Gringo Honasan, chair of the Senate committee on national defense and security, confirmed that security officials would brief the senators on the martial law extension.

Sotto, in a text message, said the briefing was scheduled at 10a.m. Tuesday.

Honasan, in a separate text message, said the Department of National Defense through Secretary Delfin Lorenzana would brief the senators.

On the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ recommendation, President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to extend the martial law declaration in Mindanao for another year.

READ: Duterte will ask for one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao

Duterte declared martial law in the region last May 23 after the terrorist Maute group attacked Marawi City. Congress voted in July to extend martial rule in Mindanao until December 31 after the 60-day period had expired.  /kga