Philippine military welcomes extension of martial law in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday welcomed the approval of the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019.

Both the Senate and House Representatives granted the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to continue martial law in southern Philippines for another year.

A total of 235 lawmakers voted in favor of the extension of martial law while 28 voted against it. Only one abstained.

READ: Congress okays 3rd martial law extension in Mindanao

“We appreciate this grant that lengthens the period of Martial Law implementation mindful that it is impressed with enormous responsibility on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to quell the rebellion that persists in Mindanao and prevent lawless violence by local terrorist groups from spreading in other parts of the country,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

This was the third time that martial law was extended in Mindanao after the five-month Marawi siege in 2017.

Mindanao was first placed under martial law in May 2017 after fighting broke out in Marawi City. About 1,000 people have been killed during the five-month siege, while hundreds of thousands were displaced.

The first martial law declaration lasted 60 days and it has been extended twice last year.

Early this month, the military said it was recommending the extension of martial law, citing bombings in Basilan, General Santos City, and Sultan Kudarat. It claimed that local government units have also been asking for an extension.

“Apart from that reason, the extension seeks not only to sustain the economic gains owing to the peace and security in Mindanao, it also responds positively to the clamor of local government executives to extend Martial Law implementation in the island because of law and order it provides to their constituents,” Arevalo said. /ee

READ: Palace: Martial law extension in Mindanao a ‘positive development’