AFP, PNP back another year of martial law

MANILA, Philippines — To make a “significant dent on terrorism,” the military will recommend to President Duterte another year-long extension of the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, said local government units, regional peace and order councils and other agencies, including the Commission on Elections (Comelec), are supporting the move.

He added that there is actually a clamor for such extension for at least one more year, considering the continuing threat “lurking” in Mindanao.

“We have recommendations already. We will be recommending… so that we can substantially make a significant dent on terrorism,” Galvez told reporters in an interview in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday morning.

To prove that there is still a threat of terrorism in the entire island, Galvez cited the bombing incidents in the provinces of Basilan and Maguindanao, and in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City.

“So there is really a need to constrict and limit the maneuver space of the terrorists to the maximum. We have a very weak terrorism law. So with that, martial law is needed to completely defeat terrorism,” Galvez said.

The AFP recommendation for another year of martial law in Mindanao, he added, would be submitted to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the new AFP chief by Dec. 12 – the day he retires from military service.

He stressed that the military’s position would be to continue the implementation of martial law only in the Mindanao regions.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the PNP is one with the AFP in seeking an extension, adding that this would greatly ensure peace and order in the coming plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the midterm elections in May next year.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte might be persuaded to seek another extension because of the support shown by various sectors, including the citizens of Mindanao, for the proposal.

“The President will always evaluate whatever recommendations the AFP and the PNP will give him. But given the support of martial law in Mindanao, even by a Catholic bishop and the citizens there, the President may be persuaded to grant, to approve their recommendation. But of course, again, that is the prerogative of the President,” Panelo said at yesterday’s press briefing.

The 1987 Constitution permits the president to impose martial law for up to 60 days, which can be extended by Congress “if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.”

But for Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Makmod Mending, the AFP should first organize a briefing for the Senate and the House of Representatives to apprise their members on the need to extend anew martial law in Mindanao.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said senators would most likely seek a full security briefing to make an intelligent decision on the recommendation.

He added that he is open to calling for a special session to decide on the matter should Duterte request for one. An extension requires the approval of Congress in joint session.

Duterte first placed the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017 after Islamic State-linked terrorists laid siege to Marawi City. Close to 1,000 terrorists and more than 160 soldiers died in that incident, the longest urban war in the country since World War II.

Congress has already extended the military rule in Mindanao twice. The first extension lasted until Dec. 31, 2017 while the second will lapse at the end of the year.

Some religious leaders, including Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad, are supportive of martial law extension, saying the military rule had reduced crime and enforced discipline among the people of Mindanao.

Activists and left-leaning groups do not share that assessment though, as they worry that an extension will lead to more human rights violations and abuses. – With Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla, Edu Punay, Romina Cabrera