EXTENDING the declaration of martial law in Mindanao for the third time is highly possible with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) likely recommending it.
AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez Jr., said based on their consultations, the people are supportive of extending military rule in Mindanao.
“Based on the recommendation of the Eastmincom (Eastern Mindanao Command) and based on the recommendation of the LGU (local government units), there is a positive possibility that we will extend martial law,” Galvez told media Tuesday, November 23, after a command conference at the Eastmincom headquarters, in Panacan, Davao City.
Galvez said they have conducted dialogues with various stakeholders and the feedback were positive.
It can be recalled that in July 22, 2017 before the 60-day martial law ended, Congress in a joint session granted the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend it until December 2017. On December 13, 2017, the Congress approved another one year extension until December 2018. The President declared martial law in May 23, 2017 hours after Marawi was attacked by the Maute terror group.
After his visit in Eastmincom, Galvez he will also fly to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in Zamboanga City, to evaluate the campaign and the command’s recommendation on extending anew martial law.
“Very positive [ang response] maraming mga LGUs at mga government officials, they are looking for the extension and nakita naming yong impact din in terms of economic at security, napakalaki ng development,” he added.
While pushing for its extension, Galvez acknowledged that there are those who are against its implementation. He expects that those who are against it will also oppose a third extension.
But Galvez said the people of Mindanao approved of it due to the sense of security.
He said those who are skeptical were mainly from Manila.
Galvez asserted that during the 18 months implementation of martial law, there were no human rights violations committed by the military.
Instead the martial rule helped them in their counter-insurgency campaign.
“’Yong sa Davao at sa ibang areas sa Mindanao, they are saying na Martial Law is well implemented. I believe, that’s the request of the LGUs and also the people to sustain our gains so that we could completely defeat ‘yong terrorism at the same time 'yong ating mga CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army) terrorist dito,” Galvez said.
Asked on how many months it would possibly take should the extension will push through, he said that they will make a recommendation once they have already finish their assessment.
“Most likely, ang recommendation, we will go with the pulse of the people. Most likely talaga, we will work for the extension,” the AFP chief said.
Local legislators meanwhile expressed support to the possible extension.
"The Philippine Councilors League (PCL) is supportive for the extension and majority of councilors in Mindanao is for its extension," councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, PCL president, said in a text message to SunStar Davao.
Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, for her part, said, "If it contributes positively to and aids in the maintenance of relative peace in Mindanao, I have no objection po."
“The existence of terror threat in Davao City is very much at high level, considering we are the economic center of Mindanao. Hence, the intensified security measures are very much needed to minimize if not stopped those threats. And so, extended martial law in Mindanao is much needed," councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr. said.