Palace: AFP's recommendation on possible martial law extension 'accepted'
Experts have warned that President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of the liberation of Marawi does not put an end to the crisis in the Southern Philippines as militants could recruit and radicalize those who were displaced by the fighting. AP/Bullit Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday said it would accept any recommendation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines seeking for possible extension of martial law in Mindanao amid prevailing security threats in the strife-torn region.
AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. on Friday told reporters the military might request to extend martial law in Mindanao even after Marawi City was liberated from Islamic State-linked Maute terrorists in order to defeat other militant groups in the region.
In a radio interview over state-run DZRP, Presidential Communications secretary Martin Andanar said that while it is President Rodrigo Duterte “who will decide” on the matter, the Palace respects the wisdom of the AFP.
“Sila lang naman talaga ang may nakakaalam sa mga ganyang subject pagdating sa bagay ng national security (They’re the ones who know what’s best especially when it comes to matters related to national security),” Andanar said.
“And they all have the reason to give their thoughts,” he added. “The decision or the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is actually accepted.”
The restive island of Mindanao has long history of Muslim separatist rebellion.
In July, Congress overwhelmingly voted to retain martial law in Mindanao until yearend after the proclamation reached its 60-day constitutional limit, giving Duterte more time to stabilize the region where ISIS was gaining influence.
But martial law remains a sensitive issue in the Philippines after it was used by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s to prolong his stay in power.
Opponents feared Duterte might declare a nationwide martial law, but the authorities have repeatedly dismissed that.
Last month, Duterte, in a rousing address to troops, declared Marawi City—which was stormed by heavily-armed militants on May 23—liberated from pro-ISIS extremists after two terrorist leaders were killed in a targeted military operation.
Four days after the president’s announcement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced an end to combat operations in the besieged city after five months of fighting that gave state forces their first taste of urban warfare.
But experts have warned that Duterte’s declaration of Marawi's liberation does not put an end to the crisis in the southern Philippines as militants could recruit and radicalize those who were displaced by the fighting.
According to Padilla, the military is also working on the possible lifting of martial law now that residents have been allowed to go back to their homes in Marawi.
“We’re working towards that. We’re hoping to be able to address and normalize everything by the end of the year because that was the deadline given to us,” Padilla said.
“But be that as it may, the network of the local terrorist groups still continues and this is the subject of our efforts,” he added.
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