Palace: Congress to tackle scope of martial law extension in special session

Lawmakers have to deliberate on the parameters of the imposition of martial law in Mindanao if the period of effectivity is extended, Malacañang said on Monday as it confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte indeed called for a special session.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued the confirmation after lawmakers announced that Duterte called on Congress to convene a special session on Saturday at 9 a.m.

"The President's call for a special session is necessitated by the exigency to deliberate on the possible extension of the period of effectivity of Proclamation [No.] 216, which will end next week," he said in a statement.

"Congress has to discuss and consider the actual parameters to extend martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus," he added.

Abella, however, did not give more details on Duterte's call.

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 in Moscow, Russia to declare martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after pro-ISIS Maute group attacked Marawi City on the same day.

This declaration is only valid for 60 days, unless Congress agrees to extend the period of implementation. — BAP, GMA News