President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte wants the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year, his spokesman said Tuesday.

 Duterte, in a letter to Congress, said the “existing rebellion” in Mindanao would not end on July 22, the 60th day in the limit prescribed by the Constitution.

 “Upon a thorough personal assessment of the current situation in Marawi City and other parts of Mindanao and taking into account the reports and recommendations of the Secretary of National Defense as martial law administrator, the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as martial law implementor and the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), I have come to the conclusion that the existing rebellion in Mindanao which prompted me to issue Proclamation 216 on 23rd May 2017, will not be quelled completely by the 22nd July 2017 – the last day of 60-day period provided under Section 18 Article VII of the 1987 Constitution,” Duterte said in a message read by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a Palace briefing.

 “For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st December 2017 or for such a period of time as the Congress may determine the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao,” Duterte’s message added. </s> Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — Martial law stays in Mindanao until the end of the year.

The Senate and House of Representatives on Saturday granted President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend military rule in the south until December 31, 2017. Proclamation 216, which declared martial law in Mindanao, expires at 10 p.m. on July 22.

A total of 261 lawmakers voted in favor and 18 were against.

A majority vote of the two chambers voting jointly, or at least 158 of the 314 members of Congress, was needed to pass the motion.

A total of 279 lawmakers, or 20 senators and 259 congressmen, were present at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Senator Leila de Lima was unable to attend as she is detained at Camp Crame for drug charges.

Aside from declaring martial law in Mindanao, Proclamation 216 suspended the writ of habeas corpus. The proclamation was issued on May 23 when the ISIS-inspired Maute group stormed Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur.

In his letter to Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez dated July 18, Duterte said government needs five more months to quell the rebellion in Mindanao.

Also read: Duterte wants to extend martial law until end of 2017

On July 21, Duterte said the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police recommended the five-month extension to cover the rehabilitation period for war-torn Marawi and prevent the possible retaliation of terrorist sympathizers.

"No, sa kanila yan (No, it's theirs) ... The contamination of the ideology na nakita nilang patay, might spur others just to do the same," Duterte said.

This is the first time Congress voted to extend a martial law proclamation.

Aside from the 14-year martial law declared by late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also declared martial law in Maguindanao in December 2009 following the Maguindanao Massacre, which killed 57 people, including media practitioners.

Arroyo's martial law only lasted eight days. She lifted it even before Congress could review her proclamation.

Palace: Martial law extension essential to peace

Meanwhile, Malacañang released a statement following the joint session Saturday, saying now that the debate on the extension is over, the country must refocus its attention to make sure peace and order is maintained in Mindanao.

"The extension of martial law is essential to the overall peace and stability. The rebellion in Marawi continues to persist and we want to stop the spread of the evil ideology of terrorism and free the people of Mindanao from the tyranny of lawlessness and violent extremism," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

"There is much work to be done in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi," he added.

Drilon: No evidence to support Mindanao martial law extension to Dec. 31

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon gave an explanation on why he voted against the extension of martial law until the end of 2017.

He said there was "no evidence of actual rebellion outside of Marawi City," and the declaration of martial law for a period longer than his proposed 60 days would mean they have failed to do their duty as lawmakers under the Constitution.

Drilon said, under the Constitution martial law can be declared only if "actual rebellion exists," and Congress may extend its duration if it is necessary.

He said, "The factual basis for a continued martial rule in Mindanao and an extension of up do December 31, 2017 do not meet the requirements of the Constitution."

Drilon said the President mentioned only 10 out of 27 provinces in Mindanao that are under threat, so it follows that martial law should be extended only in these areas "where actual rebellion exists."

Drilon also questioned the reason behind the extension when Duterte and security officials mentioned "significant progress" against rebels. </s> PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to extend his declaration of martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year, Malacanang said on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s requested period of extension was made during his meeting with lawmakers, led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in Malacanang on Monday.

He said Duterte also requested that the Senate and the House of Representatives hold a special session to discuss this request.

In his letter sent to Congress leaders, Duterte admitted that the existing rebellion in Mindanao would not be quelled completely by July 22, the last day of the 60-day period provided under the Constitution.

“For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon Congress to extend until 31st of December 2017,” Duterte said.

The 1987 Constitution only allows Duterte to declare martial law for a maximum of 60 days or until July 22 in this case. Any extension will require approval from both the Senate and the House, where Duterte counts most lawmakers as his allies. </s> Watch the special session of both branches of Congress live

Bookmark to watch live on Rappler on Saturday at 9:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – As the martial law declaration on Mindanao expires on Saturday, July 22, President Rodrigo Duterte asks both branches of Congress to extend martial law until December 31.

In his letter sent to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Duterte pointed to the "newly evolving" urban warfare tactics employed by homegrown terrorists in Marawi City as the reason government troops will not be able to neutralize the rebels by Saturday, July 22.

Duterte officially sent his letter to Congress on Tuesday, July 18.

The President declared martial law in Mindanao after the military clashed with members of the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group starting on May 23.

The 1987 Constitution allows the President to declare martial law for a maximum period of 60 days. Any extension requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, which will be holding a special session to discuss Duterte's request. – Rappler.com </s> PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to extend his declaration of martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2017, Malacanang said.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s requested period of extension was made during his meeting with lawmakers, led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in Malacanang on Monday.

He said Duterte also requested that the Senate and the House of Representatives hold a special session to discuss this request.

In his letter sent to Congress leaders, Duterte admitted that the existing rebellion in Mindanao would not be quelled completely by July 22, the last day of the 60-day period provide under the Constitution.

“For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st December 2017 or for such a period of time as the Congress may determine the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao,” Abella quoted the President as saying.

The 1987 Constitution only allows Duterte to declare martial law for a maximum of 60 days or until July 22 in this case. Any extension would require approval from both the Senate and the House, where Duterte counts most lawmakers as his allies. </s> Martial law in Mindanao might last for the rest of the year as President Duterte has appealed to lawmakers to allow the extension of military rule on the island until December 31.

In a news briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto C. Abella said the President wrote a letter to Congress asking for almost a half-a-year extension of Proclamation 216, which imposes martial law and suspends the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao. The executive proclamation is due to expire on Saturday, or 60 days after it was issued on May 23.

Under Article 7, Section 18 of the Constitution, the President is given the power to declare martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a period of not more than 60 days.

In his letter to Congress, Duterte said his motion to extend martial law is upon his individual review of the conflict in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, and other parts of Mindanao. Abella said the possible martial-law extension is intended to “deal with local terrorist groups and anything that threatens public safety in Mindanao”.

“The primary objective of the possible extension is to allow our forces to continue with their operation and to focus more on the liberation of Marawi City and its rehabilitation and rebuilding,” Abella said.

In a text message to the BusinessMirror, Mindanao Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Romeo M. Montenegro said he is certain the President assessed the situation well before making such appeal to Congress.

“The President has certainly considered key elements in calling for the extension, noting the need to completely quell rebellion in parts of Mindanao,” Montenegro said.

Business is as usual in Mindanao, he added, in spite of the declaration of martial law in the whole of the island and extremist threats in Marawi City.

“The overall business mood for the rest of Mindanao had remained normal notwithstanding, except perhaps for some sectors, as heightened security weighed in on travel movements,” Montenegro said.

Lawmakers on Tuesday asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to justify the proposed extension of martial law in Mindanao.

While they support the extension of martial law, Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Party-list Rep. Harry Roque of Kabayan and Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. of Ako Bicol said there’s still a need for the AFP and the PNP to prove that the extension is warranted.

Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas of Ilocos Norte said Duterte has called on the Congress to conduct a special session at 9 a.m. on Saturday to consider the extension of martial law.

House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez vowed for the passage of the measure extending martial law.

However, Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, a member of Magnificent 7 and petitioner of martial law before the Supreme Court, asked the Palace and the leadership of Congress to give lawmakers more time to study the situation before considering the extension. </s> President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with Manila-based police officials and all Mindanao regional directors two days after he declared martial law in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with top police officials led by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa in Davao City on Thursday, May 25.Duterte, who declared martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday, May 23, will meet with Manila-based police officials and all Mindanao regional directors, according to sources privy to the scheduled meeting.

They are expected to discuss the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.



Flying in from Manila are PNP Deputy Chief of Operations Deputy Director General Ferdinand Mendez, Directorate for Operations chief Director Camilo Cascolan, Directorate for Intelligence chief Director Gregorio Pimentel, and Special Action Force chief Director Benjamin Lusad. 



The 6 regional police directions will also be at the meeting.

Duterte, while in Russia for an official visit, placed Mindanao under martial law following clashes between government forces and suspected members of the terrorist Maute Group in Marawi City. At least two policemen and 5 soldiers were in the clashes. 



On May 23, Marawi City residents posted photos of armed men littering the city and hoisting ISIS flags. That same night, at least 3 fires broke out in the city.

The alleged Maute Group members also set free prisoners in at least two jails in the city. 



The defense department has issued guidelines for the Armed Forces in the implementation of martial law. Written orders from Malacañang were only transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives Wednesday evening, May 24, or hours after Duterte arrived from Russia. 



Under the Constitution, martial law may only be imposed up to 60 days. If the President wants it extended, Congress – which is dominated by Duterte's allies – needs to approve it. The Supreme Court may also review the basis for the declaration if a case is filed before it. (READ: Martial Law 101: Things you should know)



Duterte cited the Maute Group clash in Marawi and previous encounters in Mindanao as basis for his declaration. (READ: Duterte says martial law due to ISIS threat)



The President is also set to meet have a Cabinet meeting in Davao City at 4 pm on Thursday. – Rappler.com </s> Soldiers onboard military trucks ride along the main street as government troops continue their assault on insurgents from the Maute group, who have taken over large parts of Marawi City, Philippines, on June 2, 2017. Source: Reuters/Romeo Ranoco

PHILIPPINE lawmakers on Saturday voted to extend martial law on the southern island of Mindanao until the end of the year, giving President Rodrigo Duterte extra time to quell a rebellion by militants allied with the Islamic State group.

A total of 261 legislators agreed to extend military rule in a seven hour-long joint special session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, accounting for more than two-thirds of Congress membership of more than 300.

The overwhelming vote supporting the extension of martial law was not surprising, with Duterte counting a majority of lawmakers and senators as his allies.

Duterte had declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after government troops clashed with homegrown terrorists from the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group in Marawi City.

SEE ALSO: Philippines: Congress to vote today on Mindanao martial law extension



According to Rappler, the 1987 Constitution only allows the President to declare martial law for a maximum of 60 days or until July 22 in this case. Any extension requires approval from both houses of Congress.

As the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police have so far failed to neutralise the rebels, Duterte wrote a letter to Congress asking for an extension until the end of the year, citing the “evolving” urban warfare that is making it difficult for the military and the police to end the fighting in Marawi.

The motion has proven to be controversial, with protesters disrupting the joint session of Congress with chants of “Never again to martial law.”

According to Inquirer.Net, the group were members of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP).

“The NUSP condemns the proposal of Malacañang to extend Martial Law in Mindanao until the end of the year, December 31. The request for extension is only an admission by the government that nothing has been achieved to solve the Marawi crisis in the 60-day span of the Martial Law,” said Mark Vincent Lim, NUSP National Spokesperson in a statement.

“This impending extension will continue to legitimize militarisation and US military presence in Mindanao. It has done nothing but bring about the displacement, disappearances, rape, killings and other human rights violations to our Lumad and Moro brothers and sisters.” </s> Members of the House of Representatives welcomed the Supreme Court ruling upholding President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 which declared martial law in Mindanao at the onset of the Maute terror group attack last May.

In a majority vote, the Supreme Court on July 4 affirmed President Duterte’s declaration of martial law.

Eleven justices voted to uphold the president’s declaration over all of Mindanao, said Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te in a press briefing.

Three others voted to limit the declaration to Marawi City, the conflict zone. A lone justice, meanwhile, voted to nullify the proclamation altogether.

The decision validated Duterte’s declaration on May 23, when he placed the entire Mindanao under military rule following clashes between government troops and Islamic State-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf group terrorists in the Islamic city of Marawi.

It dismissed several petitions that questioned the basis of the president’s declaration.

In justifying his declaration, President Duterte had told Congress in a report that the extremists were planning to create an Islamic State province in Mindanao.

Several petitioners- opposition lawmakers, leftist leaders and four women from Marawi City- had asked the high court to invalidate the martial law declaration over all of Mindanao, saying there was no basis for military rule.

They asserted that the President could have addressed the crisis even without declaring martial law, saying the conflict was confined within Marawi City.

During oral arguments from June 13 to 15, magistrates sought government’s clarification on the President’s reasons for placing all of Mindanao under martial rule amid clashes between state troops and terrorists in Marawi City.

Solicitor General Jose Calida insisted that “all the elements of rebellion were present” when Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216. The President also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to allow police to make warrantless arrests of terror suspects.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (2nd District, Surigao del Norte), chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs, lauded the SC decision and commended the 11 justices who saw the light and wisdom in President Duterte’s decision in declaring martial law in Mindanao.

“Being a Mindanaoan myself, I share the President’s insight and knowledge of the culture and mentality of the people there. This is a clear vindication of President Duterte’s resolve to crush the Maute rebellion at all cost. Putting the entire Mindanao under Martial Law proved to be a wise move as it prevented possible reinforcements from reaching the rebels in Marawi. This is a victory for every peace-loving Filipino who condemned the senseless loss of lives in that rebellion,” said Barbers.

Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, said the Supreme Court has proven that the Filipino people should support President Duterte.

“Our Muslim brothers must do their part in rebuilding Mindanao in order that the Mindanaoans can see and feel the funds and infrastructure projects of the National Government. It’s bringing the government to the people,” said Mercado.

Rep. Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque), chairman of the committee on games and amusements, said the Supreme Court ruling is good for the country.

“It avoids a constitutional crisis. It also recognizes that the problem in Mindanao is complex, and the solution is something that the judiciary must not impede the executive from achieving. Now more than ever, we must rally behind President Duterte and the rest of his government in their efforts to stamp out the Daesh and its attempt to bring radicalism and violence to our country,” said Tambunting.

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said that even before the congressional break, he mentioned that the incident in Marawi may be difficult to contain, with the news coming out that there were pre-positioned fighters, well-armed and well-equipped with unlimited supply of ammo. He said the events justified the President’s martial law declaration, and the SC ruling settled it.

“Iyong extension (ng martial law) is a call of the House and the Senate, if the President will ask for it. I think it’s more of a military decision and the President will be guided accordingly by the decision of the military. I think the situation is still far from being normal. An extension may be in order,” Suarez said.

Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability, said martial law in Mindanao may be extended to solve the big problem confronting Marawi City.

“Nakita naman po natin na almost 400 na ang namatay and marami na ang napinsala sa Marawi, and in fact, kapag hindi pa ito mabibigyan ng lunas baka ma-extend pa ang martial law, I will still support it,” said Pimentel.
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte plans to appeal to the Congress of the Philippines to extend Proclamation No. 216 (martial law on the whole of Mindanao, which will end on 22 July 10 PM PST) until the end of 2017, due to constitutional constraints as well as the ongoing Marawi crisis.