<span style="color: #222222;">President Rodrigo Duterte today asked legislators to extend martial law across the southern Philippines until the end of next year in order to quell continuing violence in the restive region. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Duterte's request, which could be approved as early as next week, comes despite critics voicing concerns the move threatens human rights and places too much power in the leader's hands. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">However, the President's spokesman Salvador Panelo said a third extension is needed in the southern region of Mindanao to protect the nation and its people.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Duterte initially put the Mindanao region under military rule after gunmen flying the black Islamic State flag attacked the mainly Muslim city of Marawi in May last year, sparking a five-month battle that killed 1,200 people.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Martial law allows the military to establish control with measures like curfews, checkpoints and gun controls in a nation where civilians are allowed to own firearms.</span><br />''