Fariñas: Lawmakers ‘overwhelmingly in favor’ of martial law extension

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas: Members of the House of Representatives are “overwhelmingly in favor” of extending martial law in Mindanao. PHOTO/Vince Nonato, PDI

After a three-hour long briefing with security officials on Tuesday afternoon, members of the House of Representatives were “overwhelmingly in favor” of extending martial law in Mindanao for one year, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said.

Fariñas said this “general sentiment” was shared “especially by the members from Mindanao.”

Legislators across party lines were briefed by key security officials including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency chief Alex Monteagudo.

This was a day before the House and the Senate are scheduled to convene in a joint session to decide on the extension requested by President Rodrigo Duterte, who cited the rise of a “potential successor” to slain terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon and allegedly increasing hostilities by communist insurgents.