Malacanang respects the right of those who are set to hold a rally in Manila on Monday, Independence Day, to call for the lifting of martial law in entire Mindanao.

In a statement on Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella noted the rally, dubbed “National Day of Prayer and Action  for Peace and Human Rights,” at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine beside the Manila City Hall where different militant groups and former and current legislators are expected to attend.

He said the planned demonstration "shows how vibrant democracy is in the Philippines.

"As PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), quoting a famous line, repeatedly said, 'He may not agree with what you say, but he’ll defend to the death your right to say it',” Abella said.

This right includes the right to air people's grievances, including  opposition to the proclamation of martial law in the whole island of Mindanao, he added.

The protesters would call for the lifting of martial law, which Duterte declared in the whole of Mindanao on May 23 after the Islamic State-linked Maute Terror Group attacked Marawi City. Martial law is effective for 60 days.

Since May 23, the government troopers have been conducting offensive operations against the terrorists.

On Friday, 13 Marine soldiers were killed in an intensified operations against the militants as the military hoped to liberate Marawi on Independence Day.