Duterte: Martial law ‘fastest way’ to quell rebellion in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law as it is the "fastest way" to combat rebellion.

"I declared martial law in Mindanao because I believe that was the fastest way to quell rebellion at the least cost [to] lives and property," Duterte said during his second State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress.

Duterte, in Proclamation No. 216 on May 23, declared martial law in Mindanao after the ISIS-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi City.

The declaration is effective for 60 days and lapsed on Saturday evening, but Congress approved Duterte's proposal to extend it until December 31 before it did.

The President said martial law adequately equipped the government with the "constitutional tool" to prevent rebels, but "to prevent them from spreading the gospel of hate and violence in the rest of Mindanao."

"Martial law and the suspension of habeas corpus enable the military to arrest, detain and question suspected members and sympathizers of rebellion similar to what happened to the pairings of the Maute brothers," he said.

Duterte reiterated his support to the soldiers and policemen who fight in Marawi City against the rebels.

"As president, I am reiterating my unwavering support to the soldiers of the armed forces and members of the police force," he said.

"I have your backs.... I will hold myself, me and me alone should be responsible," he added.

As of July 22, a total of 578 people have died in the ongoing firefight in Marawi. Of the total number of fatalities, government troops account for 105, members of the Maute-ISIS group, 428; and for civilians, 45. — with Amita Legaspi/RSJ/KVD, GMA News