Davao council wants martial law lifted

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A resolution urging President Duterte to lift martial law in this city was passed by the Sangguniang Panglungsod on Tuesday.

Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, chairperson of the peace and public order committee, sponsored the resolution, saying the implementation of martial law has been detrimental to trade and investment in the city, whose mayor is Duterte’s daughter.

The President declared martial law in Mindanao in 2017 following deadly clashes between security forces and Maute militants in Marawi. Congress extended the declaration until the end of the year after the President asked for it due to security concerns.

Noting that “everything is in place,” Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had earlier said martial law should be lifted in this city, where her father also served as mayor for several terms.

Carpio cited her recent meeting with ambassadors, who sounded off the concern of prospective investors over the higher cost of doing business when an area is under martial law.

She said she also discussed the matter with military and other security officials.

Political decision

Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said the Eastmincom supports the resolution of the city council, but stressed that it is up to higher authorities to decide on the matter.

“We reported on the improvement of the security situation... pwede namang i-lift, but of course, it’s a political decision,” Santos said. 

“It’s up to those in the higher level, kasi syempre iba yung nakikita nila... But we support and we gave assurance that the security in Davao City is well established as of now,” he added. 

Santos said the military would continue to enhance security measures in the city even if martial law is lifted.

Compromise

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said martial law could be lifted in certain areas in Mindanao where there is no imminent threat from lawless groups.

“I think a compromise could be made... limiting the martial law declaration only in areas where we still have a big peace and order problem,” Malaya said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

He said any decision to lift martial law would depend on the recommendation of police and military officials.

Malaya said a majority of local government officials and civil society organizations in Mindanao want to retain martial law. He said ordinary citizens in Mindanao also feel safer under martial law. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Michael Punongbayan