Says rebellion in Marawi City cannot be quelled completely by July 22 deadline
(Eagle News) –- President Rodrigo Duterte is asking Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31 this year, according to Malacanang.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella read a letter of the President addressed to Congress seeking the martial law extension until year end, saying the rebellion in Marawi City could not be quelled completely until July 22, 2017, Saturday.
July 22 is the last day of the 60-day martial law period covered under Proclamation 216 of President Duterte declared on May 23 when Islamist militants first took hold of the city of Marawi.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that the existing rebellion in Mindanao which has prompted me to issue Proclamation No. 216 of 23rd may 2017 will not be quelled completely by 22nd July 22, 2017, the last day of the 60-day period,” said part of Duterte’s letter as read by Abella in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, July 18.
He said that he based this upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“For this reason, and because public safety requires it, I call upon Congress to extend until the 31st of December 2017 or for such a period of time that Congress will 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 letter read.
The letter was addressed to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
In a separate interview, Pimentel said that the date for extension specified by the President “carries weight.”
Opposition lawmaker, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, said that opposition congressmen will oppose this during the special session.
“This is not only a step back, but several steps back for our democracy,” said opposition lawmaker and prominent martial law critic Edcel Lagman, who called Duterte’s request illegal.
“That would indicate the possibility of extending the coverage of martial law outside Mindanao,” Lagman told AFP.
Congress has set a special session on Saturday, July 22, to decide on the request of Malacanang to extend martial law in Mindanao which was to end that day.
Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate President Pimentel also told reporters Monday night that the extension of martial law that the President sought was for another 60 days.
The country’s constitution allows the president to impose martial law for up to 60 days, as well as allowing authorities to detain suspects for up to three days without charges to suppress invasion or rebellion.
Beyond two months, the president can extend it “for a period to be determined by the Congress”.
– ‘Extraordinary measure’ –
Duterte had sought the recommendations of the military and the police on extending martial rule but his spokesman would not say if these had called for five months of martial rule.
“The President’s call for a special session is necessitated by the exigency to deliberate on the possible extension of the period of effectivity of Proclamation 216, which will end next week,” Presidential Spokesperson Abella earlier said.
“Congress has to discuss and consider the actual parameters to extend martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus,” he said.
Duterte’s allies dominate Congress, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Tuesday he saw no obstacle to approving it.
In May, Duterte said he had made the move to stamp out an attempt by militants, including foreign fighters, to establish an IS caliphate on Philippine territory.
“He also explained clearly his fear that terrorism might slowly spread throughout Mindanao and eventually the country,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who attended the meeting with Duterte on Monday, told AFP.
However, opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan told AFP martial rule was an “extraordinary and temporary measure” and that any extension could not be more than 60 days.
Duterte should consider limiting martial law to the Muslim regions of Mindanao, he added.
Both Pangilinan and former president Fidel Ramos, a Duterte supporter who has become critical of the administration, warned that extended martial rule may scare off investments.
“Martial law was necessary in the beginning but any extension should now be considered very carefully,” Ramos told reporters.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)