Malacañang on Saturday defended the government’s decision to extend martial law in Mindanao after a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 62 percent of Filipinos have agreed that there was no need to extend martial rule in the region. Roque said it was necessary for the public to understand that martial law was instrumental in attaining a “peaceful environment” in many areas of conflict in Mindanao. The Palace official said the extension of martial law in Mindanao would also allow state troops to secure government agencies helping in the rehabilitation of Marawi City. Congress had earlier voted to approve the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 2018. For donation from overseas:Inquirer Foundation Corp account:Inquirer Foundation Corp. Banco De Oro (BDO) Current Account No: 007960018860Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 23, 2017 05:15 UTC