ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military is likely to recommend certain areas in Mindanao to remain under martial law, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Noel Clement said yesterday.
“But right now as we see it, because of the big improvement, we might make an assessment and if ever, we will recommend for the lifting of martial law, but there might be some areas where we will continue its implementation,” Clement told journalists here.
Clement visited the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and assessed the current security situation following a recent spike of terror threats launched by foreign militants embedded with the Abu Sayyaf.
Clement said before they make the recommendation, consultations will be conducted with all the stakeholders, local officials and communities “if they still wish to continue the implementation of martial law.”
Clement agreed with the observations of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that martial law has long been implemented but whether there is still a need for it will be determined in the assessment.
The entire Mindanao region was placed under martial law following the siege of Marawi City from May to October 2017. The third extension will expire on Dec. 31 this year.
Clement said they will also be consulting the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other security forces as to the current and actual threat situation.
He said one of the areas the AFP is considering to extend martial law is Sulu, citing the terrorism threats where foreign militants carried out a number of suicide bombings.
Clement gave assurance that military forces are closely watching the reported migration of Islamic State (IS) militants slipping through the country’s southern backdoor.
“Yes, we have to look into that issue and we have already established the trilateral agreement with Indonesia and Malaysia to be able to address that problem. So we can ensure they cannot just cross within the three countries,” Clement said.
“So if ever there are reports from, let’s say in Indonesia and Malaysia, that they are going here, they have to share that information to prevent their coming here and the same is true also if there are reports of fighters here going to their respective country,” he added.
Clement cited the information sharing among the three countries involved in the trilateral agreement, which he said is important in preventing the exodus of IS militants.
“The marching orders to the troops are to capture them all because if we look at their purpose in coming here, it is to conduct the terroristic activities, in particular to stage bombings. We will not allow this because once they stage their plans a lot will be harmed from our communities,” Clement said.
“We need to help and support one another to thwart this terror plot, because the people can see the indications these terrorists are around and if we will not alert the security forces, time will really come that terrorists could hatch their evil intentions of staging bombing activities,” he added.