Qatar- Palace says 'too early' to talk about martial law extension
(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Malacanang said it would be 'too early to recommend the extension of martial law in Mindanao despite a recent bomb explosion in Sultan Kudarat in the southern region that killed three people.
In a news briefing on Friday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr said President Rodrigo Duterte had yet to consult security officials on the possible extension of military rule in the conflict-torn region.
'I think it's too early to talk about the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao, Roque told reporters.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had said extending military rule was an 'option, though Malacanñang would not necessarily ask for it. House leaders on Thursday said they were open to extending martial law for a third time.
Roque earlier said the Palace would go by the statement of Medialdea but pointed out that martial law in Mindanao would remain in effect until December 31, 2018.
'The truth is, December is still a long way off…We thank Congress for their co-operation but…the decision whether or not to extend (martial law)will be pursuant to a recommendation to be made by our security forces, he added.
Roque added that it was 'premature to conclude that the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat earlier this week would impact the effectiveness of martial law in the region.
'This is (only) the second incident that we've had in Mindanao since martial law was declared, the first being Basilan and the second being in Isulan. So let's monitor first, Roque said.
Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo and several senators are opposed to another extension of martial law, saying it had failed to stop violence in the South.
In May last year, Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao and suspended the writ of habeas corpus to allow government forces to wipe out the Maute group of terrorists who had seized Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
The declaration was supposed to be good for 60 days under the Constitution. The president asked Congress to extend it up to the end of December 2017.
Before the December 2017 extension ended, Duterte again requested his congressional allies to lengthen it up to the end of this year.
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