MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court en banc on Friday ordered key government officials to answer the petition filed by opposition lawmakers challenging President Rodrigo Duterte's year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao. They challenged the factual basis of Duterte's extension saying that the military reports stated that the government is only fighting "remnants" of the terrorist forces. They said: "Why not altogether obliterate these remnants or leftovers by regular military and police operations, instead of seeking the extension of martial law." "No extension of martial law is needed to foreclose threats or quell lawless violence," the lawmakers stressed in their petition. On May 23, Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao after the Islamic city of Marawi was stormed by heavily-armed extremists who pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Source: Philippine Star December 29, 2017 08:48 UTC