Philippines extends military rule in southern Mindanao island

The Philippine Congress has approved a request by President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in the southern Mindanao Island for another year.

The move to uphold military rule till December 31, 2018 was approved by 240 lawmakers and opposed by 27 in the House of Representatives and Senate, on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reports.

The military law was initially imposed by Duterte in May for 60 days following an attack by Daesh-linked Maute terrorists on Marawi City in May. It was extended till the end of this year.