EDITORIAL - Explain goals, produce results

As everyone expected, Congress approved yesterday by an overwhelming vote the extension of martial law all over Mindanao by a year. The extension was requested by President Duterte, based on recommendations of the military and police.

With the unsurprising congressional approval, the government must focus on two things: explaining the basis for the extension, and producing results. These were accomplished when martial law was imposed earlier this year to get Marawi back from Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists inspired by the Islamic State.

That principal objective was made crystal clear from the outset. The country’s diplomats were tasked to explain the circumstances in Marawi to worried foreign governments. The United States promptly provided missiles and other weaponry to the Armed Forces of the Philippines while Australia deployed surveillance equipment. Later, China donated guns to the AFP.

It took five months and the 60-day limit for military rule had to be extended. But in those five months during which much of Marawi was destroyed, security forces killed the brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute as well as Abu Sayyaf commander and IS “emir” Isnilon Hapilon. Gory photographs were made public to prove the terrorists’ neutralization. When President Duterte declared that Marawi had been liberated, there was no doubt that government forces had won.

This time, the reason for a second – and much longer – extension of martial law is less clear. The government must exert more effort to define its objectives, because military rule in any part of a country indicates instability and a serious threat to public safety. This can adversely affect the investment climate, jobs and livelihoods, development efforts and economic growth in Mindanao. Neutralizing known threats, such as in the case of the Mautes and Hapilon, can help.

Public acceptance of this prolonged martial law will depend on the way security forces comport themselves in dealing with threat groups. The AFP and support teams from the police generally enjoyed public support in Marawi. In this longer extension of martial law, the AFP and police are under close watch and must show that there is no reason for public concern.