SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez yesterday said Congress would most likely grant President Duterte’s proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao to address the threats of terrorism.
Alvarez said even if the hostilities in Marawi stopped, it does not mean the threat of the Maute Group is over as there is a possibility of retaliation.
He said he was worried that the possible retaliation would affect not only Mindanao but the entire country.
Alvarez said Congress should also conduct an assessment of the Marawi crisis and look into the possible lapses of the intelligence community in assessing the Maute threat allegedly linked to the Islamic State.
He said the public pulse favored the declaration of martial law to deter lawlessness, and restore peace and order in Mindanao.
Duterte has called on Congress to hold a joint special session on Saturday to deliberate and consider his request for martial law extension.
Based on the Constitution, the effectivity of the declaration can only last for 60 days and its extension requires the concurrence of Congress. The 60-day martial rule is set to expire on Saturday. (pna)
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