ML extension to prolong Moro agony, target dissenters — NDF

MANILA, Philippines - The National Democratic Front (NDF) yesterday warned that the extension of martial law in Mindanao until yearend would only prolong the agony of the Moro people and target other Muslim groups and the New People’s Army (NPA).

“With an extended martial law, the Duterte regime’s naked fascism will target not just the Maute group but also the revolutionary movement led by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and NDF, other armed Moro groups as well as the struggling peasants, workers and other sectors in the island,” the NDF said in a statement.

The NDF also said the extension of martial rule will further empower the armed forces and the police to violate basic freedoms and civil liberties of Moro and non-Moro people.

It warned that martial law would serve to quell Mindanao farmers’ anti-feudal mass movement, the workers’ fight for higher wages and humane working conditions, and the lumad people’s struggle to defend their ancestral domain against “destructive imperialist mining and plantation.”

The NDF issued the statement as President Duterte defended the prolonged martial law in Mindanao during his second State of the Nation Address, two days after Congress approved his proposed extension.

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial rule to quash the Islamic State-linked Maute group. The armed conflict displaced thousands of families.

The extension of martial law also drew mixed reactions from Catholic bishops.

“The first martial law declaration was fine but if they are going to use Marawi again to justify its extension, I don’t think it’s right,” Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña said.

“With all the resources at their command, the government can address the crisis now even without martial law extension,” he added.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes called Congress’ decision to extend martial law “a stupid decision.”

“I am very disappointed with the approval of martial law till December by Congress – a stupid decision! For even the bishop of Marawi, Msgr. Edwin dela Peña, is against the extension of martial law, and being the bishop there, he knows why martial law must not be extended,” Bastes said.     

Bastes also said he believes that the extension of martial law in Mindanao would worsen the armed conflict in the country as it would make the NPA, the armed wing of the NDF, more aggressive in its attacks against the government. 

“The situation of war will get worse because of the abuses that will surely be committed in the name of martial law! Our economy is already going down because of martial law. NDF will be more belligerent etc. God help our country!” the Sorsogon bishop added.

But for Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, the extension of martial law is “OK” since it has improved the peace and order situation in Region 12 or Soccsksargen that covers South Cotabato, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

“Peace and order has improved in Soccsksargen. The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines here are good,” Gutierrez said.

“I respect our lawmakers and government officials in their decision,” Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said.