MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking congressional approval to extend martial law in Mindanao through the end of this year, saying he needs more time to quash a "rebellion" in the country's south.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte has written to Aquilino Pimentel III, the Senate president, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, both of whom are allies. The president has asked them to convene a special joint session on Saturday, when martial law is to end. Both chambers are in recess, and not due to meet again until Monday.
