Mindanao was placed under martial law in May, after local militants backed by the Islamic State seized the city of Marawi. But Duterte said Friday that a yearlong extension of martial law was needed to ensure the “total eradication” of militancy in Mindanao, an impoverished region where various armed groups have been active for decades. Both houses of Congress approved Duterte’s request overwhelmingly, despite opposition lawmakers’ warnings that martial law was no longer needed and that to extend it risked eroding constitutional values. The martial law edict gives the military widespread powers, including the ability to carry out warrantless arrests and set up roadblocks and checkpoints. Rights groups and opposition politicians have criticized Duterte’s request to extend martial law, warning that the authoritarian president was setting the stage for an eventual declaration of military rule across the entire country.

Source: New Strait Times December 13, 2017 23:48 UTC