Home

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 12:26

    Palestinians have right to east Jerusalem as capital: Saudi king

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:53

    Kremlin welcomes 'constructive' US position on N. Korea talks

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:17

    Abbas warns 'no peace or stability' without Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:10

    Erdogan urges world to recognise East Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'

  • Sanaa (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:53

    Strikes kill 12 in rebel-run Yemen prison camp: rebel TV

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:48

    Israel a state of 'occupation' and 'terror', Erdogan tells Islamic leaders

  • Montgomery (United States) (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 04:38

    Alabama Democrat Jones projected to win US Senate race

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 01:37

    UN envoy says North Korea agrees on need 'to prevent war'

  • Seoul (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 23:28

    Kim vows to make N.Korea 'world's strongest nuclear power': KCNA

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 22:45

    US ready for North Korea talks 'without preconditions'

  • New York (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 22:08

    Dow, S&P 500 end at records as banking shares gain

  • Sao Paulo (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 21:41

    Brazil court to rule on Lula jail sentence Jan 24

  • Monrovia (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:56

    Liberia presidential runoff set for Dec 26: election panel

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:01

    Venezuela's ex-oil boss under investigation for graft

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:33

    'We're losing the battle', Macron tells Paris climate talks

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:26

    With fossil fuel subsidies, humanity investing in 'own doom': UN chief

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:19

    Russia suspends diplomatic presence in Yemen

  • London (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 15:43

    Ireland-based Ryanair pilots to strike on December 20

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:44

    Stoltenberg reappointed as NATO chief until 2020: statement

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:28

    World Bank to stop financing oil, gas projects from 2019

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:22

    Two Palestinians killed in Gaza, Israel denies claim of attack

  • Juba (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:54

    S.Sudan clashes leave more than 170 dead: lawmaker

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:00

    Macron calls for 'much stronger mobilisation' on climate

  • Phnom Penh (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 11:23

    EU pulls support for Cambodia poll after opposition dissolved

  • Tehran (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 10:18

    Magnitude 6.2 quake hits southeastern Iran: seismological centre

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 09:51

    Explosion at major Austrian gas hub, 'several' hurt

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 08:14

    France's Unibail-Rodamco to buy Australia's Westfield: statement

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:11

    Trump wants Congress to fix 'lax' immigration after NY attack

  • Sydney (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:10

    ANZ Bank sells life insurance arm to Zurich for US$2.14 bn

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 21:25

    Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 18:34

    Apple to buy song recognition app Shazam

  • London (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 17:05

    Brexit deal shows UK can leave EU in 'smooth and orderly' way: May

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:55

    China fails to block UN meeting on North Korea human rights

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:25

    Four hurt in New York explosion, none life-threatening

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Man held over jihadist murders of French police couple

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Putin calls for Mideast talks to resume, including on Jerusalem

  • Los Angeles (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:55

    'The Shape of Water' leads Golden Globe nominations with seven

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:35

    Cairo, Moscow sign contract for Egypt's first nuclear plant

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:03

    Police responding to explosion of 'unknown origin' in Manhattan

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:18

    Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: agencies

  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:10

    India's Congress party names Rahul Gandhi president

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:06

    Putin in surprise visit to Russia's airbase in Syria

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 09:43

    Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas: government

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:50

    Recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital 'makes peace possible': Netanyahu

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:46

    EU's Mogherini condemns 'all attacks on Jews everywhere'

  • Manila (Philippines) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 05:35

    Philippines' Duterte seeks martial law extension for south

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:28

    Bitcoin makes stock exchange debut at $15,000 Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:11

    Main opposition parties barred from next presidential vote: Venezuela's Maduro

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 21:49

    Palestinians 'walking away' from talks with Pence snub: US

  • Doha (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 18:20

    Qatar signs $8-bln deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:24

    Macron urges Netanyahu to freeze Israeli settlement building

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:08

    Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of helping 'terrorists'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:03

    Macron urges Netanyahu to show 'courage' with Palestinians

  • Aden (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 16:22

    Air raids on Yemen rebel training camp kill 26: security sources

  • Calais (France) (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 14:24

    Ferry runs aground at France's Calais port: official

  • Vatican City (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:33

    Pope renews call for 'wisdom and prudence' over Jerusalem: Vatican

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:13

    Erdogan calls Israel 'terrorist state'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 12:57

    Major recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears

Home

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 12:26

    Palestinians have right to east Jerusalem as capital: Saudi king

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:53

    Kremlin welcomes 'constructive' US position on N. Korea talks

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:17

    Abbas warns 'no peace or stability' without Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 10:10

    Erdogan urges world to recognise East Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'

  • Sanaa (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:53

    Strikes kill 12 in rebel-run Yemen prison camp: rebel TV

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 09:48

    Israel a state of 'occupation' and 'terror', Erdogan tells Islamic leaders

  • Montgomery (United States) (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 04:38

    Alabama Democrat Jones projected to win US Senate race

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/13/2017 - 01:37

    UN envoy says North Korea agrees on need 'to prevent war'

  • Seoul (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 23:28

    Kim vows to make N.Korea 'world's strongest nuclear power': KCNA

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 22:45

    US ready for North Korea talks 'without preconditions'

  • New York (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 22:08

    Dow, S&P 500 end at records as banking shares gain

  • Sao Paulo (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 21:41

    Brazil court to rule on Lula jail sentence Jan 24

  • Monrovia (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:56

    Liberia presidential runoff set for Dec 26: election panel

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:01

    Venezuela's ex-oil boss under investigation for graft

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:33

    'We're losing the battle', Macron tells Paris climate talks

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:26

    With fossil fuel subsidies, humanity investing in 'own doom': UN chief

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:19

    Russia suspends diplomatic presence in Yemen

  • London (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 15:43

    Ireland-based Ryanair pilots to strike on December 20

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:44

    Stoltenberg reappointed as NATO chief until 2020: statement

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:28

    World Bank to stop financing oil, gas projects from 2019

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:22

    Two Palestinians killed in Gaza, Israel denies claim of attack

  • Juba (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:54

    S.Sudan clashes leave more than 170 dead: lawmaker

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:00

    Macron calls for 'much stronger mobilisation' on climate

  • Phnom Penh (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 11:23

    EU pulls support for Cambodia poll after opposition dissolved

  • Tehran (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 10:18

    Magnitude 6.2 quake hits southeastern Iran: seismological centre

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 09:51

    Explosion at major Austrian gas hub, 'several' hurt

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 08:14

    France's Unibail-Rodamco to buy Australia's Westfield: statement

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:11

    Trump wants Congress to fix 'lax' immigration after NY attack

  • Sydney (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:10

    ANZ Bank sells life insurance arm to Zurich for US$2.14 bn

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 21:25

    Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 18:34

    Apple to buy song recognition app Shazam

  • London (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 17:05

    Brexit deal shows UK can leave EU in 'smooth and orderly' way: May

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:55

    China fails to block UN meeting on North Korea human rights

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:25

    Four hurt in New York explosion, none life-threatening

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Man held over jihadist murders of French police couple

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Putin calls for Mideast talks to resume, including on Jerusalem

  • Los Angeles (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:55

    'The Shape of Water' leads Golden Globe nominations with seven

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:35

    Cairo, Moscow sign contract for Egypt's first nuclear plant

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:03

    Police responding to explosion of 'unknown origin' in Manhattan

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:18

    Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: agencies

  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:10

    India's Congress party names Rahul Gandhi president

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:06

    Putin in surprise visit to Russia's airbase in Syria

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 09:43

    Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas: government

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:50

    Recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital 'makes peace possible': Netanyahu

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:46

    EU's Mogherini condemns 'all attacks on Jews everywhere'

  • Manila (Philippines) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 05:35

    Philippines' Duterte seeks martial law extension for south

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:28

    Bitcoin makes stock exchange debut at $15,000 Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:11

    Main opposition parties barred from next presidential vote: Venezuela's Maduro

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 21:49

    Palestinians 'walking away' from talks with Pence snub: US

  • Doha (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 18:20

    Qatar signs $8-bln deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:24

    Macron urges Netanyahu to freeze Israeli settlement building

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:08

    Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of helping 'terrorists'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:03

    Macron urges Netanyahu to show 'courage' with Palestinians

  • Aden (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 16:22

    Air raids on Yemen rebel training camp kill 26: security sources

  • Calais (France) (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 14:24

    Ferry runs aground at France's Calais port: official

  • Vatican City (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:33

    Pope renews call for 'wisdom and prudence' over Jerusalem: Vatican

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:13

    Erdogan calls Israel 'terrorist state'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 12:57

    Major recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears

You are here

News

Philippines' Duterte wins extra year of martial law powers

POOL/AFP/File / Ezra ACAYAN Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks last month with communist rebels

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won martial law powers across the southern third of the country for one more year on Wednesday to combat Islamic militants and leftist rebels, as Congress brushed aside fears of a looming dictatorship.

Duterte's request to extend martial law in the Mindanao region until December 31 next year and detain suspected rebels there without charge was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate and House of Representatives.

"The motion to further extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is hereby approved," House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said after a 240-27 vote at a joint session.

In May Duterte imposed military rule and suspended the writ -- a constitutional guarantee against warrantless arrests -- across the region of 20 million people, hours after armed Islamic militants seized the southern city of Marawi.

The initial period of martial law was limited by the constitution to 60 days.

However, in July Congress authorised Duterte to extend martial law until the last day of 2017 as he moved to retake the city from hundreds of gunmen he accused of plotting to turn Marawi into a regional base for the Islamic State group.

Duterte declared Marawi "liberated" in October after a five-month US-backed bombing campaign that claimed more than 1,100 lives and left large areas of the city in ruins.

But on Monday he warned that those who escaped were regrouping.

Duterte, who called off peace talks last month with communist rebels, also warned one of Asia's longest armed rebellions had stepped up "terrorist acts".

His request added to critics' fears he was seeking to steer the Philippines back into dictatorship like the late president Ferdinand Marcos did in 1972.

Opposition legislators said Wednesday that martial law was illegal because Duterte had declared the liberation of Marawi and described the communists as a "spent force".

"It is clear that this is a tool of repression leading to a dictatorship," congresswoman Emmi De Jesus said, explaining her vote.

"Is this now a prelude to declaring martial law nationwide?" said senate minority leader Franklin Drilon.

Duterte has repeatedly said he may impose martial law across the entire nation to save the Philippines from narcotics, crime and terrorism-induced anarchy.

But his cabinet members downplayed those fears.

"We do not ask for unlimited martial law. What we are seeking is unlimited peace," Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told the joint session.

Home

News

News

Philippines' Duterte wins extra year of martial law powers

POOL/AFP/File / Ezra ACAYAN Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks last month with communist rebels

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won martial law powers across the southern third of the country for one more year on Wednesday to combat Islamic militants and leftist rebels, as Congress brushed aside fears of a looming dictatorship.

Duterte's request to extend martial law in the Mindanao region until December 31 next year and detain suspected rebels there without charge was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate and House of Representatives.

"The motion to further extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is hereby approved," House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said after a 240-27 vote at a joint session.

In May Duterte imposed military rule and suspended the writ -- a constitutional guarantee against warrantless arrests -- across the region of 20 million people, hours after armed Islamic militants seized the southern city of Marawi.

The initial period of martial law was limited by the constitution to 60 days.

However, in July Congress authorised Duterte to extend martial law until the last day of 2017 as he moved to retake the city from hundreds of gunmen he accused of plotting to turn Marawi into a regional base for the Islamic State group.

Duterte declared Marawi "liberated" in October after a five-month US-backed bombing campaign that claimed more than 1,100 lives and left large areas of the city in ruins.

But on Monday he warned that those who escaped were regrouping.

Duterte, who called off peace talks last month with communist rebels, also warned one of Asia's longest armed rebellions had stepped up "terrorist acts".

His request added to critics' fears he was seeking to steer the Philippines back into dictatorship like the late president Ferdinand Marcos did in 1972.

Opposition legislators said Wednesday that martial law was illegal because Duterte had declared the liberation of Marawi and described the communists as a "spent force".

"It is clear that this is a tool of repression leading to a dictatorship," congresswoman Emmi De Jesus said, explaining her vote.

"Is this now a prelude to declaring martial law nationwide?" said senate minority leader Franklin Drilon.

Duterte has repeatedly said he may impose martial law across the entire nation to save the Philippines from narcotics, crime and terrorism-induced anarchy.

But his cabinet members downplayed those fears.

"We do not ask for unlimited martial law. What we are seeking is unlimited peace," Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told the joint session.

POOL/AFP/File / Ezra ACAYAN Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks last month with communist rebels

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won martial law powers across the southern third of the country for one more year on Wednesday to combat Islamic militants and leftist rebels, as Congress brushed aside fears of a looming dictatorship.

Duterte's request to extend martial law in the Mindanao region until December 31 next year and detain suspected rebels there without charge was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate and House of Representatives.

13 Dec 2017

AFP's worldwide network

The global network of Agence France Presse covers 151 countries

Find out more

Contact us

If you have news to share or a question, comment or suggestion, contact us via...

If you have news to share or a question, comment or suggestion, contact us via...
  • MAIL
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

    • Subsidiaries