MALACAÑANG on Saturday, December 2, floated the possibility that President Rodrigo Duterte will extend martial law in Mindanao, which will expire on December 31.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the Commander-in-Chief was expected to receive the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) recommendation on possible lifting or extension of martial law in the beleaguered region by next week.
Roque added that he would announce the military's recommendation on Monday, December 4.
While he refused to spill the beans, Roque insinuated that Duterte might call for another extension of martial rule as he noted that threats posed by terror groups remain a cause for concern.
"For me, let us allow the armed forces to decide because they know what's happening on the ground. While Marawi has been liberated, the threat of terrorism and violent extremism still persists," Roque told a press conference in Zamboanga City.
"It is right that martial law could help, I think for now, for the process to rehabilitate Marawi. Can you imagine if [there is no martial law while rehabilitation efforts are ongoing]? Well, anyway, I do not want to preempt the recommendation of the armed forces and I do not want to preempt any decision made by the government," he added.
Duterte promulgated a 60-day martial rule in the whole of Mindanao on May 23, following the siege of pro-Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Marawi City who were purportedly planning to establish caliphate for Jihadist fighters in Southeast Asia.
Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides that a president has the exclusive power to declare martial law and suspend writ of habeas corpus, in case of invasion or rebellion, for a period not exceeding 60 days.
It also states that such proclamation of martial law or suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus can either be revoked or extended for a period determined by Congress through joint voting.
On July 18, the President sought extension of martial law until December 31, 2017 to "completely and totally" flush out the remaining local and foreign extremists in Marawi City.
Congress on July 22 approved Duterte's recommendation to place Mindanao under martial rule for another five months.
Roque said the Chief Executive might announce his decision concerning martial law before Congress goes on recess on December 15.
"The recommendation will be submitted by next week. So the President will make a decision, if not next week, then the week after because Congress will go on recess on the 15th, and as you know, we cannot have extension of martial law, without consent of Congress," he said.
If Duterte decides to extend martial law in Mindanao, the Senate and the House of Representatives will hold a special joint session to discuss and vote on the President's proposal. (SunStar Philippines)