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[av_heading heading=’Martial law needed to curb threats – DND’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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MANILA – Extending the martial law in Mindanao is needed to curb threats from Maute and Islamic State sympathizers, the Department of National Defense (DND) insisted yesterday.
Not doing so “will allow them to regroup,” DND Public Affairs chief Arsenio Andolong said.
Andolong said there have been “reports” that the terrorist group has been recruiting for members in the Lanao area.
Without martial law, rehabilitation in Marawi City “will be very difficult,” the Defense department official said.
“We’re going to move…equipment. Pagka sila’y nakakaikot ng malaya, they can hamper iyong pagre-rebuild natin,” said Andolong.
Asked if terror threats remain in Mindanao, Andolong said, “There is a threat.”
“In terms of seriousness kasi relative iyon sa iba-ibang areas, pero meron. It is there, it is credible,” he stressed.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under the military rule on May 23 following clashes between Islamic State-allied forces and government troops in Marawi, the Islamic capital of Lanao del Sur.
On July 23 Congress voted 261-18 to grant Duterte’s request to extend the martial law in the southern region until Dec. 31.
In October Duterte declared Marawi “liberated” from terrorist threats, ending the five-month long war, after the death of top terrorist leaders Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon. Despite this, martial law remained in Mindanao.
Recently the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police recommended to Duterte the further extension of martial law.
Several representatives are against it, saying it is unconstitutional.
The extension beyond Dec. 31 “defies grounds and duration imposed by the 1987 Constitution,” said Edcel Lagman (Albay).
“Martial law can only be declared and its extension authorized in ‘case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it,’” Lagman said in a statement.
“There is neither actual invasion nor rebellion in Mindanao after Marawi City was declared by President Rodrigo Duterte as liberated from rebel and terrorist forces almost two months ago,” he added.
“Threat or imminent danger of rebellion or invasion” has been removed as among grounds for the proclamation of martial law, Lagman pointed out.
Tom Villarin (Akbayan), in a separate statement, said he feared the plan could affect the barangay election in May 2018 over security concerns.
“Potential terrorist threats and for the expedient rehab of Marawi,” he said, “do not fall under the constitutional basis of actual rebellion or insurrection and when public safety so requires.”
“Martial law extension will put in limbo the May 2018 barangay election, which will be put on hold due to security concerns,” said Villarin.
“It will be a dangerous precedent that may lead to the expansion of the iron rule all over the country,” he added. (Philippine News Agency and Adrian Stewart Co/PN)
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