PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday sent Congress a letter to formally ask for the extension of martial law in Mindanao for one year.
Duterte cited the continuing threat terrorism and rebellion in Mindanao as his reason for seeking the extension.
He cited Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s Dec. 4 recommendation to him based on the security assessments of the Armed Forces. In it, Lorenzana recommended that the Mindanao martial law be extended to Dec. 31, 2018 “to ensure total eradication” of terrorist groups, “armed lawless groups, communist terrorists and their coddlers, supporters, and financiers.”
Duterte said terrorists bent on establishing a caliphate were rebuilding their organization after their defeat in Marawi City as a result of the deaths of the Maute brothers and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
He said there were still 185 people with standing martial law arrest warrants who have remained at-large. He said they could be regrouping and consolidating their forces in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sulu and Basilan.
He said the Abu Sayyaf remains to pose security threats in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the Zamboanga areas while the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has been active in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
Moreover, President Duterte noted the continued threat of communists in the region.
Duterte said the NPA also poses security threats and has even stepped up offensives in Mindanao.
The House of Representatives and Senate may likely hold a joint session this week to deliberate on the extension of martial law in Mindanao before they go into a congressional recess, said House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas.
“Our session officially ends on Friday, December 15; hence, we may have a joint session on Thursday or Friday as part of the 2nd regular session, without a need of a special session,” Fariñas said.
Congress will adjourn on Dec. 15 for the Christmas break and will resume on Jan. 14, 2018.
Duterte declared the entire Mindanao under martial law in May 23 after IS-inspired terrorists laid siege in Marawi City.
Congress, in a special joint session, granted the extension of martial law until Dec. 31 on Duterte’s request.
In October, Lorenzana announced the end of the five-month-long conflict between government forces and Maute terrorists in Marawi City following the death of top terrorist leaders Omar Maute and Hapilon. (with reports from pna)
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