Anti-martial law protesters on Saturday briefly disrupted the special joint session of Congress at Batasang Pambansa, waving banners that read “No to martial law” and chanting calls against the proposed extension of military rule in Mindanao.
“Martial law sa Mindanao, ibasura!” (Trash martial law in Mindanao!) some of the protesters seated at the gallery shouted while Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio interpellated the martial law administrator, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, around 11 a.m. Saturday.
“Never again, never again, never again to martial law,” other protesters shouted as security officials removed them from the hall.
The legislative branch held a special joint session on Saturday, two days before it officially opens, to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2017. The House voted in favor of the extension.
Leftist groups, including their sectoral representatives, have been opposed to Duterte’s martial law declaration, citing alleged human rights abuses in Mindanao.
Story: ABS-CBN News
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