The Senate and House of Representatives of Philippines have voted to retain martial law on the southern island of Mindanao until the end of the year, giving President Rodrigo Duterte more time to tackle armed extremists allied with the Islamic State group.
Martial law allows the use of the military to enforce law and the detention of people without charge for long periods.
Some 261 legislators overwhelmingly voted to extend military rule in a seven hour-long joint special session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, more than the required two-thirds of the Congress.
“The result of the voting in Congress show that 261 in the affirmative and 18 in the negative. The motion to extend proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus is hereby approved by the Congress,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said, reading the tally, before banging the gavel.
A total of 279 lawmakers, or 20 senators and 259 congressmen, were present at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Senator Leila de Lima was unable to attend as she is detained at Camp Crame for drug charges.
Security officials had told lawmakers that martial law was needed to stabilise a region where Islamic State was gaining influence, and supporters could be inspired to stage uprisings in other areas of Mindanao.
“The extension of martial law is essential to the overall peace and stability. The rebellion in Marawi continues to persist and we want to stop the spread of the evil ideology of terrorism and free the people of Mindanao from the tyranny of lawlessness and violent extremism,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said. “There is much work to be done in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi,” he added.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned of more serious problems if the government did not have the powers to act swiftly.
According to Security officials, the law was required to stabilise the region, where supporters of IS may be inspired to stage similar uprisings in other areas of Mindanao.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 when heavily-armed militants belonging to the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups, along with foreign fighters, stormed Marawi City, sparking the biggest security crisis of his presidency.
But martial law remains a sensitive issue in the Philippines as it brings back memories of human rights abuses that occurred in the 1970s under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He was ousted in a ‘people power’ revolt in 1986.
This is the first time Congress voted to extend a martial law proclamation.
Opponents expressed fears Duterte might eventually place the entire country under martial law, but the authorities have dismissed that.
Senator Franklin Drilon said there was “no evidence of actual rebellion outside of Marawi City,” and the declaration of martial law for a period longer than his proposed 60 days would mean they have failed to do their duty as lawmakers under the Constitution.
Drilon said, under the Constitution martial law can be declared only if “actual rebellion exists,” and Congress may extend its duration if it is necessary.
Military chief General Eduardo General Ano said retaking Marawi has proven difficult because it was the first time troops had engaged in a ‘Mosul-type, hybrid urban warfare’, referring to the fighting in the Iraqi city until recently held by Islamic State.