AFP: 5-year martial law extension too long

MANILA, Philippines — Extending the declaration of martial law in Mindanao for five years may be too long given the current situation in the region, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday.

This comment comes after the remarks of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, saying he prefers to extend the declaration until 2022.

Alvarez has clarified that his suggestion to extend martial law in Mindanao for up to five years is just his personal opinion.

"Actually, five years may be too long for the moment," Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the AFP, said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

Padilla explained that the military would have to make its recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the possible extension of martial law upon finishing its assessment in Marawi City and the rest of Mindanao.

The military's assessment of the situation in Mindanao would be based on their operational objectives upon the declaration of martial law last May 23, according to Padilla.

"Kung ano man po ang lalabas doon sa pag-aaral at assessment na ginagawa natin batay po sa mga sinabi nating references at iba pong kinakailangan ikonsiderang inputs, 'yun po ang magiging batayan," Padilla said.

Extending the duration of martial law would also be part of the military's assessment in the region, he added.

"Sa panig ng Armed Forces, ang mga katanungan d'yan ay mag-re-revolve doon sa operational consideraitons na binigay sa atin noong nagsimula po tayo ng martial law," the AFP spokesperson said.

Padilla also noted that the declaration is a political decision and does not solely rely on the recommendation of government security forces.

"Magrerekomenda lang ang ating Department of National Defense o ang Armed Forces pero ang eventual decision ay kinakailangan manggaling sa political leadership na merong mas malawak na pinagbabatayan ng kanilang desisyon," Padilla said.

The military spokesman also noted that Alvarez may have more information which may be his basis for suggesting a five-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The 60-day declaration will lapse on July 23, a day before the president delivers his second State of the Nation Address before the Congress.

Padilla stressed that the military has yet to finish its assessment of the situation based on the inputs from the ground.

"Kami naman ang pinagbabatayan namin is 'yung mga threats na hinaharap natin ngayon and the period is something that will be subjective so that is part and partial of the assessment that we are making so that when before 60 days come we will have a very good basis for recommending whether to extend it or not to the president," Padilla said.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier said that the decision of the president regarding the extension of martial law would rest on the assessment and recommendation of the AFP, the Philippine National Police and other stakeholders of the Marawi situation.

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