ICC Note:

On July 22nd, Congress passed President Duterte’s request to extend martial law over the island of Mindanao until the end of 2017. The conflict in the Philippines started when the Maute group invaded Marawi on May 23rd, attempting to create an Islamic caphilate, while targeting Christians. Currently, the death toll is over 500 people and almost 300,000 people have fled the city. The bishop of Marawi and church leaders disagree with Duterte’s decision to extend martial law. None of them believes this is the answer, instead, martial law just creates more havoc. This will worsen the humanitarian crisis for so many IDPs and put many in harm’s way.

07/25/2017 The Philippines (UCA News) – Church leaders in the Philippines have decried a decision by lawmakers to extend martial law across the southern region of Mindanao until the end of 2017.

In a joint session of Congress on July 22, legislators voted to approve the request of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to extend military rule in the southern Philippines where security forces continue to battle Islamic State-inspired terrorist gunmen.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 shortly after gunmen claiming to have links with the so-called Islamic State occupied the city of Marawi, resulting in armed clashes that have displaced more than 300,000 people after two months of fighting.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, however, said the decision to extend martial law showed that the government “did not achieve anything” when it first placed Mindanao under military rule.

Martial law is not an urgent need, said the prelate, adding that what is most urgent is to secure the country’s borders, maintain security, and rehabilitate the city of Marawi.

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