MANILA — President Duterte opted to put the whole of Mindanao under martial law to prevent the country from disintegrating in the wake of the violent attacks mounted by the Maute group in Marawi City, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said on Thursday. “It’s the President’s own initiative since many months ago,” Aguirre said in a text message to reporters. ADVERTISEMENTThe justice secretary rejected criticisms that the Chief Executive might have overreacted in declaring martial law, noting that the 1987 Constitution has authorized the President to employ such measure. “The (martial law) proclamation is in accordance with the Constitution and necessary to avoid the dismemberment of our nation,” he argued. According to Aguirre, the regional and city prosecutors may also move the trial of cases outside of Mindanao.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 25, 2017 11:15 UTC