Manila: The two houses of Congress granted President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law rule in the southern Philippine until end of 2017, or 158 days more to break the backbone of Daesh-inspired Filipino-Muslim groups that took over a southern Philippine city starting May 23.
In a joint session on Saturday, a total of 261 lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives voted for the extension of martial law in Mindanao — their decision came on the eve of the ending of Duterte’s initial 60-day martial law in the south. Four terror groups led by the 28-year old Abu Sayyaf Group and the four-year old Maute Group took over 19 of 96 villages in Marawi City on May 23.
After seven hours of deliberation, 16 senators voted for the measure while four rejected it; 245 congressmen voted for it while 18 others rejected it.
Former Senate president and now Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon said he wanted to approve a 60-day extension of martial law in the south from July 23 to September 23, adding, “The reason why martial law was limited to 60 days (in the Constitution) was for the decision of the president to be subjected to regular review.”
Other senators who voted like Drilon were Bam Aquino, Riza Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan — allies of former President Benigno Aquino.
Granting Duterte 158 days of martial law in the south is unconstitutional, said Congressman Edcel Lagman, adding, “The Constitution limits a 60-day martial law per approval of Congress.”
Defenders said the Constitution also said an over-extended martial law is allowed by Congress if invasion or rebellion persist and public safety requires it.
Last Monday, Duterte gave a seven-page letter to the two houses of Congress which explained his request for an overextended martial law in the south. Revealing part of Duterte’s letter, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said last Tuesday, it was for the sake of “public safety.”
Government troops could not resolve the Marawi crisis by Saturday, the end of his initial 60-day martial law proclamation, Duterte warned in his letter to Congress.
It was the first time Congress jointly considered an urgent issue.
The Supreme Court approved Duterte’s May 23 declaration of martial law in Mindanao only this month.
The Marawi conflict has killed 671 people, mostly terrorists, since May 23, said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. An estimated 60 to 70 terrorists remain in three more villages in Marawi City, Esperon added.
