- Title: Philippine Supreme Court upholds martial law in Mindanao
- Date: 4th July 2017
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JULY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT EMBLEM OF PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT SPOKESPERSON THEODORE TE ENTERING NEWS BRIEFING TE SPEAKING BEHIND PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT SPOKESPERSON, THEODORE TE, SAYING: "The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members. Three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant the petitions." NEWS BRIEFING IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CLASHING WITH POLICE (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE SECRETARY-GENERAL, RENATO REYES JR., SAYING: "We are terribly disappointed with the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling considering that, we feel that we were able to argue our position clearly to the justices. What this decision will mean is that it legitimizes martial law and the abuses that have been taking place in Mindanao. It will make the declaration of martial law that much easier not just for Mindanao, but for the entire country. This will embolden the Duterte administration and the militarists within the administration to even extend martial law beyond the 60 day requirement set by the constitution." PROTESTER SPEAKING INTO MICROPHONE, IN FRONT OF BANNER READING (English): "NO TO DUTERTE'S MARTIAL LAW" PROTESTERS CHANTING (English): "NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS READING (English): "LIFT MARTIAL LAW NOW!"
- Embargoed: 18th July 2017 08:16
- Keywords: martial law Philippines Rodrigo Duterte militans Mindanao Marawi Philippine Supreme Court Islamic State Islamist
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0016OAV03P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Philippine Supreme Court junked petitions challenging President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in the southern Philippines on Tuesday (July 4).
Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law for 60 days after militants pledging allegiance to Islamic State occupied parts of the southern city of Marawi on May 22.
Eleven out of the Court's fifteen justices affirmed the president's declaration while three voted to limit martial law to certain provinces only.
At least 336 militants, 82 security forces and 44 civilians have died in the ongoing battle between government troops and Islamist militants in Marawi. Martial law in the region will lapse on July 23, but Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the two-month long conflict may end next week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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