DND chief to enemies of state: Surrender or else...

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is calling on enemies of the state, particularly those sowing terror in Mindanao, to surrender or face police and military action under martial law.

Local governments expressed support for the extension of martial law in Mindanao but Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman of the opposition would not throw in the towel and said he would ask the Supreme Court to nullify Congress’ decision.

Thousands of workers are also staging a rally today to dramatize their protest against the move as President Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address.

“Sa mga patuloy na nalilihis ang landas, magbalik loob na kayo. Handa kayong tanggapin ng inyong gobyerno anumang oras na gustuhin ninyo nang walang hinihinging kondisyon (To those who continue to go astray, go back to the fold. The government is ready to accept you anytime you want without setting conditions),” he said a day after Congress approved to extend President Duterte’s declaration of military rule in Mindanao up to Dec. 31.

“But if you persist in your crooked ways, the Armed Forces and the police will come after you without letup,” he said.

Lorenzana said the opportunity of surrendering without condition is being offered so that everyone could move toward progress in an upright or righteous way that the government is offering.

“With the overwhelming vote of confidence from our legislature and the ardent support of the Filipino people, your defense department will strive even more to deal with the rebellion (in Mindanao) decisively and expeditiously,” he stressed.

Lorenzana, the designated administrator of martial law in the south, assured the public that the military will not squander the trust given to it.

“Gagampanan ng ating Hukbong Sandatahan ang pagtatanggol sa bayan at mga mamamayan nang buong katapatan (The Armed Forces will fulfill its duty to defend the country and the people with all integrity),” he said after convincing Congress that the country needs five more months of martial law to crush the Maute terror group in Marawi City and other threats in Mindanao.

As this developed,  the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and the Liga ng mga Barangay expressed their support for martial law extension in the south.

In a statement, Cuy said the LPP expressed firm resolve to support and ensure the success of the proactive actions being taken by the Duterte administration to totally and completely address the “forces within Mindanao.”

“We are cognizant of the urgent need for the extension to allow our government forces to continue with their operation, unhampered by deadlines and to focus more on the liberation of Marawi and its rehabilitation and rebuilding,” Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said, quoting LPP.

On the other hand, the LNB also declared full support for the extension of martial law and its commitment to fight and stand against all forms of terrorism and violent extremists.

“We appreciate that the various leagues took their stand behind the President and our people in this critical hour when we need to ensure that good will triumph over evil. All of us should be united and work hand-in-hand with all other concerned national government offices in order to surmount this threat,” Cuy said.

“The quest for peace in Mindanao is not yet over, though we fervently hope that it will be very soon. As we all know, there is an ongoing and continuous clearing operations of our troops on the ground which necessitates the extension,” he added.

On Saturday, an overwhelming majority of the Senate and House of Representatives voted in favor of extending the declaration of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

The Senate voted 16-4 while 245 House members approved the extension of martial law until Dec. 31 during a special joint session of Congress. Only 14 congressmen did not support the extension.

Cuy reiterated his call for everyone to adhere to and support the purpose and reason for the proclamation of martial law – to restore and maintain peace and order in the affected area of conflict and to prevent any spillover elsewhere in the country. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla