READ: Duterte’s letter to Congress asking for martial law extension

Mara Cepeda

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READ: Duterte’s letter to Congress asking for martial law extension

KARL NORMAN I. ALONZO

President Rodrigo Duterte sends his letter to Congress on July 18 – 4 days before his martial law declaration in Mindanao expires

DUTERTE'S MEN. President Rodrigo Duterte (center, in white) is flanked by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at Malacañang on July 17. Photo from Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is asking the 17th Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31.

In his letter sent to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Duterte pointed to the “newly evolving” urban warfare employed by homegrown terrorists in Marawi City as the reason government troops will not be able to neutralize the rebels by Saturday, July 22.

The martial law declaration of May 23 expires on Saturday.

Duterte officially sent his letter to Congress on Tuesday, July 18. 

The President declared martial law in Mindanao after the military clashed with members of the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group starting on May 23. 

The 1987 Constitution allows the President to declare martial law for a maximum period of 60 days. Any extension requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, which will be holding a special session to disucss Duterte’s request on Saturday.

Read the full copy of Duterte’s letter to Congress below:

Rappler.com

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Mara Cepeda

Mara Cepeda specializes in stories about politics and local governance. She covers the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, and the Philippine opposition. She is a 2021 fellow of the Asia Journalism Fellowship and the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship of the UN. Got tips? Email her at mara.cepeda@rappler.com or tweet @maracepeda.