PROGRESSIVE groups in Northern Mindanao have condemned the supposed extension of martial law in Mindanao, saying it never solved terrorism in the island.
Datu Jomorito Guaynon, chairperson of Kalumbay regional lumad organization, said extending the military rule will only aggravate human rights abuses against the indigenous peoples and civilians in the communities.
Guaynon said the bomb explosion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat should not have happened if Martial Law had indeed gained ground. He also said it should not be taken as basis for extending Martial Law.
"Dili gyud sulbad ang Martial Law sa pag control sa kaguliyang ug paggukod sa ilang giingon nga mga terrorista kay kung sulbad pa ngano duna may nibuto nga bomba sa Isulan buot pasabot dili effective ug solusyon ang Martial Law (Martial law is not the solution against terrorism because if it is then why was it not able to stop the bombing in Isulan, it just means it is not an effective solution.)," Guaynon said.
Following the Isulan bombing, the Duterte administration is considering the extension of Martial Law which remains in effect since the war in Marawi City erupted in May 2017.
Guaynon said the government should seriously look into whether Mindanao or the entire country is facing threats on terrorism.
The group is suspecting that the state agents are the ones spreading the supposed threats on terrorism just to justify the declaration of Martial Law.
"Kinahanglan tukion kung duna ba gyud hulga sa terorista ang Pilipinas ug kini ba gyud ang problema kay basin ang military ra ang nagsabwag niini (The issue on whether there is a real threat on terrorism has to be discussed, and whether this is really the problem because maybe it’s just the military who is responsible for this.)," he said.
Guaynon said the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) organizations have been urging the government to restore peace negotiations and to address the root causes of insurgencies and armed conflicts.
He said all-out-war will never be a solution.
Guaynon also urged the Duterte government to address the demands of the natives for self-determination and respect for ancestral domain and culture.
"Gipanawagan man nato nga tukion kung unsa ang ugat-hinungdna ngano dunay kagubot sa nasud ilabi na sa Mindanao (We are calling for a discussion on what is the root problem on the unrest in Mindanao)," Guaynon said.
The Kabataan Partylist in Northern Mindanao also shared the same concern over the eyed extension of Martial Law in the island.
"Hugot nga gikondena sa Kabataan Partylist NMR ang pamahayag sa gobyerno nga posible ma-extend pa ang Martial Law. Sobra na ang pagpanglapas sa mga tawhanong katungod. Di kita motugot nga anaa pay dugang kinabuhi nga makuha ang Martial Law (Kabataan Partylist NMR strongly condemns the government’s desire for an extension of Martial Law. The violations against human rights are already excessive. We will not allow for Martial Law to claim another life)," the group said in a statement.