AFP tells ML critics: Stop living in the past

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday allayed fears over martial law in Mindanao, saying the Armed Forces of the Philippines is now a trustworthy “Armed Forces of the people” and that critics of martial rule are “living in the past.”

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla assured the public that law-abiding citizens need not worry because martial law in Mindanao is aimed at lawless elements involved in rebellious activities. 

He stressed that the greater interest of the public is at the heart of the implementation of martial law and the military would follow all the guidelines of the Department of National Defense (DND).

Padilla said critics should understand that martial law under President Duterte is different from what was imposed by dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“Our Armed Forces is a new Armed Forces that you should trust. We are the Armed Forces of the people whose oath is to protect the state and every citizen of this country. And we will do that even at the cost of our lives, as you have been seeing in the many months that we have been fighting this threat,” he said.

“There are many quarters who have been raising issues already. They are people living in the past. I would like to state that under the new basis for which martial law is declared, those of the past are very different from the way it is going to be implemented today,” he added.

The military appealed to holders of unregistered loose firearms to surrender these to the authorities.

“We encourage them to surrender them to authorities or to initiate appropriate measures to legalize their possession of firearms, so that you will not be subject to the inconvenience of future search and seizure procedures,” Padilla said.

He also called on peace-loving Filipinos to be patient as the military moves toward restoring normalcy not only in Marawi City but in the entire Mindanao.

“We do request the public to be patient in the measures that will have to be undertaken to ensure that we are doing and going in that direction, part of which is the establishment of checkpoints in all areas and the possible declaration of curfew hours in certain parts of Mindanao,” he explained. 

“These measures will be implemented because of the necessity for national security and the safety of the people. Such measures will be announced ahead of time and we encourage the public, we ask them and request them, to please extend your full cooperation to avoid any inconvenience,” he added.

AFP open to complaints

Padilla said the Armed Forces is also open to reports or complaints on abuses that the military may commit during the implementation of martial law. 

“On account of the doubts that have been expressed by many quarters, we also appeal to the public that should you see abuses on the part of those implementing martial law, men in uniform who are tasked to do that, we encourage you to report them and on our part, we will provide you a swift probe and a quick action to ensure the accountability of our men,” he said.  

“Again, the very basis for the declaration was to establish law and order and the rules of law. In areas where this is apparently breaking down, we shall be very strict and we shall be very harsh for those who are committing acts of rebellion,” he added.

Censure of information

While the military has not recommended the suspension of the freedom of expression, it would exercise its right to censure information. 

Padilla explained censuring would be done to ensure the safety of the public, operational security and the safety of soldiers. The rules on how information would be censured would form part of the guidelines now being crafted. 

“Yes, it will cover social media. The reason these guidelines have to be set and to be given is because of the things we have been seeing in the operational environment,” he said.

“You yourselves have seen that tremendous disinformation clouds or creates a thick fog of war that does not allow or provide a better operational picture of the battlefield and this is one that creates a lot of collateral damage which we want to avoid,” he added.

Presidential spokesmaon Ernesto Abella said the Palace and security officials would conduct briefings on martial law implementation every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, until martial rule is lifted. – With Christina Mendez