House, Senate tackle Mindanao martial law extension

Police inspect vehicles passing along the national highway in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur. INQUIRER MINDANAO / JEOFFREY MAITEM

Congress convened in a joint session on Wednesday to tackle President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao for the entire year of 2018.

Duterte is asking Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao and the suspension of writ of habeas corpus from January 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2018. His request was for the military to wipe out the terrorists in Mindanao.

READ: Duterte formally asks Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao ‘til end of 2018
“A further extension of Martial Law and suspension of writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao will help the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and all other law enforcement agencies to quell completely and put an end to the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and prevent the same from escalating to other parts of the country,” part of his letter to the Congress read.

The President declared martial law in the entire Mindanao last May 23 when the Maute Group attacked Marawi City. The 60-day promulgation ended last July 22 but was later extended by Congress until Dec. 31 this year.

The joint session comes as the Congress is set to adjourn this Wednesday for a monthlong holiday break. /cbb