Martial Law in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to impose Martial Law in Mindanao as a result of the Marawi City incident should be welcome news for all Filipinos for we need a strong and brave leader to impose an “iron hand” policy against terrorist groups like the ISIS-inspired Maute, Abu Sayyaf and BIFF operating in the region.

No government should adopt a kid glove policy on these new kinds of godless and merciless terrorists who maim, kill and kidnap for ransom people without any logical reasons (except for money like the ASG) or just based on their newfound un-Islamic faiths.

While some people say Martial Law should be imposed only in Marawi City and not the whole of Mindanao. The President’s decision may have a deeper meaning for it, since it may also cover the terrorist activities of the New People’s Army operating in the region.

The ISIS-inspired Maute, ASG and BIFF groups were with the ISIS belief of establishing a global Muslim caliphate while the NPAs  impose revolutionary taxes.

The President has 60 days within which to impose Martial Law in Mindanao and can extend it with Congressional imprimatur, or until it’s necessary to stop the spread of terrorism by the ISIS-inspired terror groups in Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao, and Basilan.

I fully agree that the President should also authorize the AFP and PNP to enforce fully Martial Law in all NPA-rebel infested areas in Mindanao, particularly the Compostela Valley, Caraga, and Davao provinces, so that these bandits can no longer terrorize companies and businesses who refuse to accede to their extortion and other criminal activities. – Romeo E.  Alcoseba, Davao City