Martial law in Mindanao a success – Palace

MANILA, Philippines -  A month after President Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law, Malacañang claimed that the goal of the military rule has been attained because security forces have foiled an attempt by the extremist group Islamic State (IS) to establish a province in Marawi City. 

Officials, however, still could not say when the President would lift the declaration, which some sectors fear would embolden the military to commit human rights abuses and to suppress civil liberties. 

“We do not go by ratings. But we do say that we have actually preempted the establishment of a wilayat (province)… So the main goal of preventing (that) has already been, I believe, hugely successful,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said yesterday in Davao City. 

“We have prevented the establishment of this wilayat. And we have now entered into agreements… with the neighboring countries so that this will not recur,” he added. 

Asked whether martial law would be lifted anytime soon, Abella said: “That will depend on the recommendation of the secretary of National Defense, of the Armed Forces who are the implementors of martial law.”

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after IS-aligned terrorists from the Maute group attacked parts of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. 

Critics question why the entire island was covered by the proclamation, but officials insisted such a move was necessary to prevent a spillover of the conflict. 

Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command deputy chief Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said his unit has not received reports of human rights violations involving soldiers enforcing martial law.  

“A month after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, Eastern Mindanao Command has been steadfast in carrying out its mandate of securing and shielding the area from terrorists’ attacks, following the dictum and principles of necessity, proportionality and strict adherence to the rule of law and human rights,” he said.

Abella chided critics who claim that the martial law declaration has resulted in abuses like forcible evacuation, indiscriminate bombardment and destruction of properties.

“That is a clear and present danger… I think it is about time that we really just grew up and became more mature and… more politically sophisticated… We’re really just more concerned and supportive of one another,” he said. 

 ML extension backed

 Gapay claimed that the military has prevented a spillover of terrorism in other parts of Mindanao because of aggressive security operations, tightened security measures and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and the public. 

“We are continuously engaging different organizations and sectors to explain our efforts in the implementation of martial law, to continuously assess and innovate our measures and activities that will enhance its implementation,” he added. 

Mindanao Development Authority chairman Abdul Khayr Alonto said he is in favor of extending martial law if necessary.

“If this (crisis) will not be resolved, even the extension, if it will be the recommendation of our executive people through our martial law administrator… and if they feel that there is a need to extend martial law, then we are asking for it,” Alonto said.  

“It must be extended so that we can solve this problem, it will not happen in your city.” 

Merits of federalism

Alonto said the Marawi crisis should propel everyone to look into the merits of federalism.

“It should now be obvious to all, including government and the people of this country, that the failure to address the Bangsamoro question has invited the invasion of foreign Daesh extremism such as ISIS, which feeds on the frustration of the Bangsamoro people towards failed peace processes,” he said.

A total of 280 Maute members, 69 government troopers and 26 civilians have died since fighting erupted last May 23. 

Peace Assistant Secretary Dickson Hermoso said rescuers have recently recovered 277 trapped civilians in the battle zone, including wounded children, women and the elderly. 

Rehab task force

Abella said the government would form a multi-agency task force to discuss rehabilitation plans for strife-torn Marawi.  

He said the task force would consist of officials from social welfare, education, health, public works, agriculture, defense, interior and local governments and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. 

Abella said state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. would provide P10 billion for the rehabilitation program. He said the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure would come from the national budget but did not elaborate.

The executive order on the rehabilitation program dubbed “Bangon Marawi” is awaiting Duterte’s signature. 

Abella said the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System are ready to provide loans to affected members. Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines would also open lending facilities to Marawi entrepreneurs. 

Housing and free education will be provided to the families and children of slain soldiers and policemen.  

Abella said Malacañang is also in favor of Sen. Richard Gordon’s proposal to convert Marawi into a tourist hub.  

“The Department of Tourism recognizes the potential of Marawi as a tourist destination, considering its cool weather overlooking a scenic lake plus the attraction of the university,” Abella said. 

“We are hopeful that the rehabilitation of Marawi will also include the creation of a tourism master plan for the area.”

Second briefing

Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III wants a second briefing from the country’s security officials to update the senators on the situation in Marawi City and the entire region.

Pimentel said he would schedule the briefing soon, taking into consideration the availability of all the senators, since Congress is currently on break.

A briefing was proposed by a number of senators in light of talks about the possible extension of the declaration of martial law beyond the 60-day period.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was among the personalities who have aired support for the extension of martial law in order to fully address the peace and order situation in Mindanao.

Pimentel has stated that any talk about extending martial law should not come from Congress but from the executive branch.

He noted the President has access to more intelligence reports than any other person in the country, and as such, he is in the best position to determine if there is a need for such a declaration at all.

Pimentel added that any declaration or extension of martial law should be supported by an actual situation of rebellion or invasion, as provided for in the Constitution. – With Marvin Sy