Politics
16:36, 22-Jul-2017
Philippine congress approves martial law extension until end of 2017
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The Philippine Congress on Saturday approved the extension of martial law in the southern island of Mindanao until the end of 2017, giving President Rodrigo Duterte more time to quell a rebellion by ISIL-affiliated militants.
A total of 261 legislators agreed to extend military rule in a seven hour-long joint special session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, accounting for more than two-thirds of the congressional membership of more than 300.
Ahead of the voting, security officials told lawmakers that martial law was needed to stabilize a region where ISIL was gaining influence, and supporters could be inspired to stage uprisings in areas on Mindanao, joined by foreign jihadists.
(With inputs from Reuters)
3560km