MANILA -- Officials from the executive department will hold a security briefing with members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday to tackle the proposed extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year.
According to the House Press and Public Affairs Bureau, the security briefing is set at 11 a.m., while the joint session of Congress regarding the further extension of martial law in Mindanao will be held at 9 a.m. at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
In his letter to Congress dated Dec. 6, Duterte asked Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for one more year, from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019.
Duterte cited the security assessment submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, indicating that rebellion still persists in Mindanao and that public safety requires the continuation of martial rule in the area.
Duterte said terrorist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Daulah Islamiyah continue to defy the government by perpetrating hostile activities during the extended period of martial law.
He noted that at least four bombings had been cited in the AFP report, including the Lamitan City bombing and the improvised explosive device (IED) explosions in Sultan Kudarat and Barangay Apopong in General Santos City.
"A further extension of the implementation of Martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao will enable the AFP, the PNP, and all other law enforcement agencies to finally put an end to the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and continue to prevent the same from escalating in other parts of the country," Duterte said in his letter.
"We cannot afford to give the rebels further breathing room to regroup and strengthen their forces. Public safety indubitably requires such further extension in order to avoid the further loss of lives and physical harm, not only to our soldiers and the police, but also to our civilians," he added.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017 following attacks launched by the terrorist Maute Group in Marawi City.
At the height of the six-month Marawi conflict in July last year, the House granted Duterte’s request for martial law extension until Dec. 31, 2017.
The House and the Senate granted anew the President’s request for the extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a year, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018.
Earlier, Arroyo and House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. assured President Duterte that the House of Representatives would grant his request extending martial law in the southern part of the country. (PNA)
