MANILA — Malacanang on Wednesday welcomed Congress’ approval of the extension of Martial Law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao and asked the public to support the decision.
“We welcome the approval of both houses of Congress to extend the proclamation of martial law and suspension of writ of habeas corpus in the whole Mindanao,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
Roque said public safety is the government’s “primordial concern,” thus, asked the public to stand by the administration.
“We ask the public to 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 appealed, adding this is “everyone’s shared responsibility.”
The Senate voted 14-4 in favor of extending the proclamation, while the House voted 226-23 during a joint session held in the House of Representatives on the same day. The approved extension will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2018 until Dec. 31, 2018.
President Rodrigo Duterte in a letter dated December 8 transmitted the request to the Congress upon the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana “primarily to ensure total eradication” of DAESH-inspired DIWM and other like-minded terror groups.
Of the total legislators present, 240 all-in-all voted yes, while 27 voted against the move to extend martial law in Mindanao. (PNA)