Abella says lawmakers “will recognize gravity of situation” in special session

July 22, 2017

Congress convened in a joint session to vote on whether to extend President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella hopes lawmakers " will recognize the gravity of the situation." In a statement on Saturday, Abella said it is hoped lawmakers "support the Executive Department in declaring that the factual and legal basis upon which martial law and the suspension of habeas corpus was upheld is continuing and still persists." Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 to quell an attack by the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf in Marawi City. The defense department and the military said they were foreign fighters killed in the battle. Abella said Duterte said "at the onset of the rebellion in Marawi, situation has become critical, with the potential spillover of lawlessness and violent extremism to the rest of Mindanao , the necessitates the issuance of Proclamation 216. At least 427 militants have been killed along with 99 government troops in two months of fighting in Marawi.  Forty five civilians have been killed. DMS