Pimentel sees Congress extending martial law in Mindanao for one year

December 12, 2017

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Malacanang's request for Congress to extend martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus for one year in Mindanao will pass in Wednesday's joint session.

"In the House alone, this will pass," said Pimentel in an ambush interview on Tuesday. "The Senate also, it will also prevail even if you deduct or subtract the senators, majority agree. That is my prediction."

The joint session, which will start at 9 am, will be held at the House of Representatives.

Pimentel made the remark after security officials briefed senators on the situation in Mindanao on Tuesday.

He said there is basis for the government's request to extend martial law in Mindanao.

"There is rebellion on the ground and then public safety requires it. In their assessment, here it is somewhat subjective, they need a year to address the root causes of rebellion. But nothing is sure. No one can say whether one year is enough.. The period is trial and error," said Pimentel.

Security officials did not give new information on threats, said Pimentel, except the groups are still there.

"There is rebellion in Mindanao. The manifestation was the siege in Marawi but the rebels are still there. There is the Daiwa Islamia or the Daesh affiliate. There is the Maute group. There is another group with the letter “M”. The Abu Sayyaf  is present. These are the rebel forces still operating in Mindanao,": he said.

"The Revised Penal Code does not require that the rebellion is only through siege of a city," added Pimentel.

Pimentel said one year of martial law in Mindanao is " better than five years." "Let's say they will tell us one year is not enough, can we extend it to another year? They have to justify it again," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao on May 23 when Maute-Abu Sayyaf Group fought the police and military in Marawi City. On July 23, Congress granted the government's request to extend martial law until December 31. DMS