Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Congress to approve the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao region until the end of the year 2018.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque called on the public to support the government and the armed forces to suppress the “continuing” rebellion in Mindanao.
“We welcome the approval of both houses of Congress to extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao beginning January 1, 2018, until December 31, 2018,” Roque said in a statement.
“Public safety is our primordial concern; thus, we ask the public to stand behind the Administration and rally behind our defenders to quell the continuing rebellion in Mindanao; eradicate the DAESH-inspired Da’awatul Islamiyah Waliyatul Masriq (DIWM) and other like-minded local/ foreign terrorist groups and armed lawless groups, and the communist terrorists and their coddlers, supporters and financiers,” he added.
Roque also said the public should also ensure the free rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City including the lives of the residents.
“This is everyone’s shared responsibility. Together, we will prevail,” the spokesman said.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 14-4 while the House voted 226-23 extending the proclamation of martial law until in Mindanao end of next year, affirming to the request of the president.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after the war between the government forces and ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists sparked in Marawi City.
The president announced the liberation of Marawi City from the terrorists in October but didn’t lift martial law because of alleged terror threats in some parts of Mindanao.
Last week, Duterte wrote a letter requesting the extension of martial law from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018.