Philippine President approves "in principle" martial law extension
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has approved "in principle" the recommendation made by security forces to place southern Mindanao island under martial law for another year, the country’s defense chief said on December 5.
Philippine soldiers stand guard in Marawi, Mindanao Island, on June 28, 2017 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hasapproved "in principle" the recommendation made by security forces toplace southern Mindanao island under martial law for another year, the country’sdefense chief said on December 5.
Earlier, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana endorsedthe recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to extend the martiallaw. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also supported the one-yearextension.
Lorenzana said the martial law was discussed on the sidelines of thecabinet meeting late on December 4.
However, the defense chief said nothing is final until President Duterteformally sends a letter to the Congress to ask for an extension.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on the same day that PresidentDuterte "is still studying" the recommendation of the securityforces.
Local terrorists belonging to the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Groupattacked Marawi City on May 23, 2017, prompting President Duterte to place theentire Mindanao under martial law for 60 days.
The current Philippine Constitution only allows the president to declaremartial law for a maximum of 60 days. Any extension would require approval fromthe Congress.
In October 2017, the Philippine Government finally gained control ofMarawi. More than 1,200 people were killed in the battle to retake the citythat fell into ruin.-VNA
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on July 26 signed a Muslim autonomy law to allow minority Muslims in the south to start moving towards self-rule by 2022, a bid to tackle extremism and defuse a half-century of separatist conflict in Mindanao.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has fired 20 officials, including several colonels and a general, over accusations of fraud and corruption in purchases of military medical supplies.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on September 17 repeated his desire to shut all mines in the country following deadly landslides that some government officials and large miners said have been exacerbated by illegal small-scale mining.
The Philippines' House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President of the Senate Vicente Sotto III met with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Manila on November 21, during which the two sides agreed to increase legislative exchanges.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Philippine soldiers stand guard in Marawi, Mindanao Island, on June 28, 2017 (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
