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| Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla / Photo from Philstar (ctto) |
Manila, Philippines – Due to increasing security and safety
issues caused by the terrorists, communist rebels and other armed groups, the
Armed Forces of the Philippines declared that it is seeking for extension of
martial law.
The AFP made its statement after Interior officer-in-charge
Catalino Cuy said that the Philippine National Police has recommended to implement
extension of martial law in Mindanao.
The said extension is recommended for another year.
In a press briefing, AFP Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto
Padilla said that AFP has already submitted its recommendation to Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana, in support to PNP. The spokesman, however, did not provide further
details.
“As far as I am concerned, there is a recommendation to
similarly support the recommendation of the Philippine National Police,” he said
during the Task Force Marawi briefing on Friday.
“But I am not privy to the whole report and I am not at
liberty to discuss whatever it is that has been placed in the report until such
time that the decision has been made,” he added, noting that extension of
martial law is still in Mindanao.
Maj. Gen. Padilla also shared that terrorists are recruiting
new members and violent incidents have also increased caused by rebel groups,
these are only some of the reasons why the AFP is also seeking to have martial
law in Mindanao extended for another year.
“The increasing violence initiated by the Left is part of
the reason why martial law may be needed in order to cover areas where
potential terrorists may be hiding,” he said, pertaining to recent attacks of the
New People’s Army (NPA) against the government forces.
The AFP official also cited that violent incidents involving
NPA have increased by 65 percent in one year and recorded 2,000 percent
increase in the amount of damaged government assets and other private businesses.
Meanwhile, the members of Senate minority opposition expressed their disapproval to extend martial law.
“We, members of the minority, support the position of Mindanaoans
for no martial law extension in their home island,” the Senate minority group said in a statement.
The said statement was issued by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and senators Kiko Pangilanan, Bam Aquino, Antonio Trillanes, and Risa Hontiveros.
“Martial law, together with the air strikes, was the reason why they fled Marawi in the early days of the Maute siege. And martial law is also the reason why they are afraid to return, even in cleared areas,” the statement said.
“After the pronounced liberation of Marawi and the announced focus on rehabilitation and trade, what will be the role of the people of Marawi in the planning and rehabilitation of their city? What guarantees do they have that they can return to their old location and start life anew?” they added.
Marawi city has been declared liberated by President Duterte
in October, despite it, both the AFP and PNP have recommended the extension of
martial law in Mindanao.
After the recommendations, Congress would have to convene
another special session to discuss should the president makes a formal request
for extension.
Source: Manila Bulletin, GMA News
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