Rody urged to lift martial law in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition lawmaker yesterday urged President Duterte to lift martial law in Mindanao to allow the people to return to their normal lives.

“Now that the Marawi siege is over and with the reported deaths of the Mautes and Isnilon Hapilon, the terror threat has been mitigated, we are calling for the immediate lifting of martial law in Mindanao,” Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said. 

“Martial law has lost its reason for being. It is no longer justified, as the actual threat of terrorism no longer exists. Prolonging it has unduly affected the basic rights of citizens to assemble peaceably for redress of grievances, to travel without restrictions and harassment, and for local tourism to be revived,” he said. 

“We also have to address the needs of internally displaced persons that have risen to more than 200,000 and the rehabilitation of Marawi to be led by its civilian authorities,” Villarin said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte commended the troops and their commander-in-chief, President Duterte, “for the sustained offensive that led to the death of Hapilon and Omar Maute.”

He said the killing of the two terrorist leaders would “accelerate the resolution of the conflict in Marawi City and boost investor confidence in the Philippines.”

“This development is testament to the decisive actions taken by the President,” he said.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano told his former colleagues in the military that the liberation of Marawi “is a testament of your undying love and service for our country.”

“I especially give my respect to our soldiers who passed away and who offered the extreme sacrifice in line of duty,” he said.?After the liberation of Marawi City, another long and serious work begins – bringing back the glory of the city, Alejano said.