Sotto says several lawmakers convinced Mindanao martial law should be extended

Sen. Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday said he believes several lawmakers who attended a briefing in Malacañang were convinced that martial law in Mindanao should be extended after President Rodrigo Duterte gave them a "scary" picture of terrorism in the southern region.

"'Pag narinig mo iyong mga nangyayari doon at mga intel na nakakarating sa kanya, medyo mas mabuti talagang bigyan ng extension sapagkat may intelligence sila," Sotto told Unang Balita, adding that additional details will be laid out during the briefing with security officials this coming Wednesday.

He said Duterte briefed them on what is already happening on the ground and the possible scenario if terror groups in Mindanao are not contained.

"Definitely, hindi magandang hindi natin pagbigyan... Medyo the word is 'scary,'" the senator added.

He said before being briefed by the President on Monday night, they were thinking of only allowing an extension of martial law in selected areas in Mindanao, particularly in Lanao del Sur because government forces are nearly in control of Marawi City.

However, he said that Duterte told them that based on intelligence information, local terror groups are already "moving around" Zamboanga and Jolo.

Sotto said when he asked Duterte how long would he want to extend martial law in Mindanao, the President told them "60 days would be enough."

"Puwedeng pagbigyan, 60 days. Palagay ko maayos na rin iyon, at siya na rin ang nagsabi na puwede na 'yon," the lawmaker said.

Sotto and House Majority Rodolfo Fariñas, who also attended the briefing with the President, had announced that Duterte will call for a joint session on Saturday morning to formally ask for an extension of martial law in Mindanao.

He said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had been told to send a formal letter of request for a joint session with the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The joint session will be held at the Batasang Pambansa Complex at 9 a.m. this Saturday.

Sotto added in the interview that during the briefing, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told Duterte in jest that he should request for a five-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

"Tatawa-tawa lang si President. Ibig sabihin, alam niya na nagbibiro lang si Speaker Alvarez," he said. —ALG/KG, GMA News