Philippine Congress agrees to extend Mindanao martial law to end of year

Record ID: 903729

  • Title: Philippine Congress agrees to extend Mindanao martial law to end of year
  • Date: 22nd July 2017
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JULY 22, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PHILIPPINE CONGRESS BUILDING EXTERIOR JOINT CONGRESS SESSION ONGOING PHILIPPINE CONGRESS OFFICIAL READING AGENDA OF THE DAY PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER PANTALEON ALVAREZ BANGING GAVEL JOINT CONGRESS SESSION ONGOING PHILIPPINE MILITARY CHIEF EDUARDO ANO WALKING TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English/Filipino) PHILIPPINE MILITARY CHIEF, EDUARDO ANO, SAYING: "Now, we are asking for more time because we do not just want to finish Marawi, but (also) the permanent threat in Mindanao brought by this terrorist group. There were 600 fighters in Marawi, there are many more in Sulu and Basilan that can also conduct a Marawi siege." PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS DEBATING PHILIPPINE OPPOSITION CONGRESSMAN ANTONIO TINIO INTERPOLATING PHILIPPINE DEFENSE MINISTER DELFIN LORENZANA (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) PHILIPPINE OPPOSITION CONGRESSMAN, ANTONIO TINIO, SAYING: "History teaches us that military (actions) are not the solution to the historical and social problems troubling Mindanao and the entire Philippines. What our people need are jobs, services, justice in Mindanao and not martial law." PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICIAL CONDUCTING ROLL CALL FOR VOTING PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS RAISING HANDS TO VOTE YES TO MOTION TO APPROVE MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS GESTURING WITH THUMB TO VOTE YES TO MOTION TO APPROVE MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION PHILIPPINE SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS SHOUTING TO VOTE NO TO MOTION TO APPROVE MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION MAN GIVING PHILIPPINE SENATE PRESIDENT KOKO PIMENTEL LIST OF VOTES CAST (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER, PANTALEON ALVAREZ, SAYING: "The motion to extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is hereby approved by the Congress." PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS APPLAUDING ACTIVISTS UNFURLING BANNER READING (English): "NO TO MARTIAL LAW" AND CHANTING (English/Filipino) "JUNK MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO" VARIOUS OF MEN ESCORTING ACTIVISTS OUT OF CONGRESS HALL/ACTIVISTS CHANTING (English): "NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW" PROTEST OUTSIDE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS BUILDING ONGOING ACTIVISTS HOLDING BANNER READING (English): "STAND WITH MINDANAO. NO TO DUTERTE'S MARTIAL LAW!" ACTIVIST LEADER CRISTINA PALABAY SPEAKING TO PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTIVIST LEADER, CRISTINA PALABAY, SAYING: "We deem it as a move that has no basis, factual basis. The factual basis of the existence of a real threat of rebellion in Marawi is highly questionable." PROTEST ONGOING PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS READING (Filipino): "STOP THE BOMBING OF COMMUNITIES IN MINDANAO!" AND (English): "NO TO MARTIAL LAW! NO TO ALL OUT WAR!" PROTEST ONGOING
  • Embargoed: 5th August 2017 11:51
  • Keywords: Mindanao martial law congress extension protest
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016QSSC3P
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: PART QUALITY AS INCOMING
    Philippine lawmakers on Saturday (July 22) 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.
    At least 261 legislators agreed 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 house. 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, joined by foreign jihadists.
    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, a security crisis that has killed almost 600. 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 and the Saturday's vote was the first ever extension of a period of martial law since the Marcos era.
    Outside, activists protested the extension.
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