President Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao extended for one more year.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said yesterday Duterte has signed a letter asking Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao for one more year or until December 31, 2018.
“There is already a letter but I don’t know if delivered already. Recommendation is one year,” Medialdea said.
Medialdea later said that the letter will be submitted to the Senate and House today.
Earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte was assessing the need to extend martial law in Mindanao as recommended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
“PRRD’s paramount concern is the security of our people especially the Mindanaoans in the face of threats and the use of available means under the law to fight them,” Roque said.
House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas has relayed the request of the President to House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez who told him they will it discuss they receive the letter. The Ilocos Norte solon said they will also discuss the request with their Senate counterparts. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Charissa L. Atienza)
