President Duterte seeks to extend 60-days Martial Law to 222 days

20 Jul President Duterte seeks to extend 60-days Martial Law to 222 days

Source: update.ph

In an article from Mindanews.com, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said that the 60-days Martial Law on the whole island-region of Mindanao, which will end on July 22, is not sufficient to quell the rebellion in the island. In response to this, the President proposed to extend the Martial Law from 60 days to 222 days which will end on December 31 of this year.

He also sought the extension of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus which comes with the extension of Martial Law.

However, the proposal will still depend upon the decision of the Congress to allow a certain period of time for the extension and if it is deemed important for upholding of public safety.

Aside from his personal assessment, President Duterte also took the counsels and recommendations from Martial Law and peacekeeping officers into his resolve to extend his declaration of Martial Law. Personalities include Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, martial law administrator; General Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), martial law implementor; and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Ronald dela Rosa. collectively from whom the President influenced his decision.