ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Whether martial law in Mindanao will be extended or not, the nation will know from President Duterte by next week or before Congress goes on Christmas recess, his spokesman said yesterday.
In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has submitted its recommendation to President Duterte after a consultation process.
He declined to give details, but said he has set a media briefing for tomorrow.
He stressed the President cannot extend martial law without Congress’ consent.
“Consultation is over. They now have a decision, and they will submit their recommendation to the President this week,” Roque said in Filipino.
The presidential spokesman was here on invitation of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.
President Duterte declared a 60-day martial law in Mindanao on May 23 while on a trip in Russia when Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants – both claiming links to the Middle East-based Islamic State (IS) – laid siege to Marawi City. The President later extended his proclamation until Dec. 31, with the concurrence of Congress.
Roque said while the government has liberated Marawi City, threats of terrorism and violence remain.
He said world leaders in fact acknowledged the prevalence of terror threats not only in Asia but in the whole world during the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits in Da Nang and Manila.
The leadership of Task Force Bangon Marawi said IS-linked militants have resumed recruiting members in Mindanao.
“Yes, I think martial law will help in the process of rebuilding Marawi. Everyone involved in the Bangon Marawi would feel safer if the President will exercise his power as commander-in-chief,” Roque added.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said any decision on whether to extend martial law or not would likely be based on the assessment of the security situation by the military and the police.
“I trust the wisdom of the congressmen and the senators,” he said.
“At the same time, we also wait for the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police because based on what the President said last week, he will have to wait for the recommendation of AFP and PNP,” Andanar added.
Members of the Senate minority bloc, however, rejected calls for an extension of martial law in Mindanao.
In a statement, the Senate minority bloc said that martial law in Mindanao should be lifted as soon as possible “so that we can all focus on the rehabilitation of the devastated lives and livelihoods of the people of Marawi City and nearby areas.”
Comprising the Senate oppositon bloc were Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila de Lima.
“The military itself has declared that Marawi City is already free from the clutches of the terrorist Maute Group so there is no more reason to extend military rule in the region. The reported threat on peace and order could already be addressed by the police,” they said.
“Instead of focusing on extending martial law, the government should train its sights on the quick rehabilitation of Marawi City so our Maranao brothers and sisters can resume their normal lives at the soonest possible time,” they added.
They stressed they would support whatever rehabilitation plans the government would unveil for Marawi.
Sen. Sonny Angara said he would like to be briefed by the AFP and Department of National Defense on the actual situation in Marawi and in Mindanao as a whole.
“We know that the threat to replicate this (Marawi siege) is serious so we should be very cautious about this,” he said. –Marvin Sy