Duterte asks Congress to extend Martial Law in Mindanao

Due to the unceasing threats of ISIS-inspired groups and communists, President Rodrigo Duterte has come to a decision to extend martial in Mindanao for another year, and is now seeking the approval of Congress.

The president said Mindanao continues to be a “hotbed of rebellion” because of the presence of the terrorist groups.

“For all these reasons, I ask the congress of the Philippines to further extend the proclamation of Martial Law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao for a period of one year from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, or for such other period of time as the Congress may determine, in accordance of Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Duterte said in his letter addressed to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez dated December 8.

Duterte said there is a need to do so to totally eradicate the Daesh-inspired Da’awaful Islamiyah Waliyatul Mastiq, other local and foreign terrorist groups, armed lawless groups, communist terrorists, their supporters, coddlers, and financiers.

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 12 / 11 / 17)