Philippine President Asks Congress For One-Year Extension Of Mindanao Martial Law -Reports

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the national Congress to prolong the martial law on the country's southern island of Mindanao, where militants seized the city of Marawi last year and brought it under its within several months, until end of 2019, local media reported on Friday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th December, 2018) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the national Congress to prolong the martial law on the country's southern island of Mindanao, where militants seized the city of Marawi last year and brought it under its within several months, until end of 2019, local media reported on Friday.

According to the Manila-based Philstar newspaper, Duterte was advised by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to extend martial law in Mindanao in order to "make a significant dent on terrorism."

The Philippine House of Representatives will hold a joint session next week to discuss Duterte's proposal, the newspaper reported, citing House Majority leader Rolando Andaya Jr.

Martial law was initially declared in Mindanao in May 2017 after conflict broke out between the Philippine security forces and extremists affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia), including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf jihadist groups.

In October 2017, Duterte declared the city liberated from militants. The crisis resulted in thousands being killed, injured and evacuated, and left much of Marawi ruined. The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled in February to prolong the martial law on the island until the end of 2018.