Martial law extension up next-week

MARTIAL law would have to be extended to ensure the region’s continuous security against terrorism and violent extremism, Malacañang insisted Saturday as President Rodrigo Duterte was expected to decide on the extension of martial law in Mindanao next week after the military had crafted its recommendation. 

In a news briefing at Zamboanga City, Palace Spokesman Harry Roque stressed the extension of martial law in Mindanao would guarantee the safety and security of the public, particularly during the Marawi rehabilitation phase.

Roque did not categorically say if military officials supported calls to extend martial law in Mindanao, but he said military rule would help in rebuilding the Islamic city as “the threat of terrorism remains.”

“Martial law, I think, will help in reviving Marawi,” Roque said in Filipino.

“Well, anyway, I do not want to preempt the recommendation of the Armed Forces and I do not want to preempt any decision made by the government,” he added.

“But those involved in task force Bangon Marawi, I think, they will feel safer if the President will exercise his power as commander-in-chief.”

The AFP’s proposal will be announced verbatim on Monday, Roque said, adding Duterte this week would receive the AFP recommendation on whether military rule in Mindanao must be prolonged.

Amid the perceived criticism on the possibility of a second extension of martial law, Roque insisted what mattered most was the opinion of those in the ground, and not those far from the battle zone. 

“What matters most is the view of the stakeholders, the view of the Mindanaoans on martial law…why should people from Luzon complain? They are not affected,” he said.

In a separate radio interview, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar claimed there were no recorded human rights violations nor abuse of power from the military when it first implemented martial law last May—a claim disputed by rights groups. 

On Friday, Lanao del Sur Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong warned that Islamic State-affiliated groups were still recruiting people to their cause of building up a caliphate in Southeast Asia.

“There are several reports we have been receiving that the recruitment activity is now ongoing in some other towns,” Adiong said in a Palace news briefing.

“We fear that if probably we will be lenient in securing security protocols, the terror group might use this as a portal to form and regroup again and attack another town, not necessarily in Marawi City or Lanao del Sur,” he added. 

Those who would join were offered as much as P100,000, Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said.

He also stressed that martial rule in Mindanao would be helpful in securing rehabilitation activities in the city, left in ruins after five months of fierce clashes. 

The Marawi siege had prompted Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law on May 23. 

The period was extended until the end of the year after the lapse of the 60-day limit imposed by the Constitution.

Military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla previously said the AFP might request another extension of the Mindanao martial law to fully address “remaining threat groups” in the southern region, including the Abu Sayyaf group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The Palace earlier urged the AFP to hasten its submission of its recommendation before Congress goes on Christmas break on Dec. 15, to resume sessions next Jan. 15.