Sulu professor doubts martial law could lick Abu Sayyaf

A professor of Mindanao State University in Sulu, opposes another martial law extension in Mindanao, fearing it could increase human rights violations by the military.

“I don’t know what the third martial law extension can do with a lifespan of one year without the military taking over some municipalities in Sulu, where some local leaders actually sleep with the enemy,” Octavio Dinampo, said, referring to the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Dinampo, an Abu Sayyaf kidnap victim, doubted that the extension of martial law for another year could eradicate the Abu Sayyaf, even if the government deployed there another military division.

By extending martial law, the government is perpetuating the myth that terrorism or violent extremism can be defeated by use of brute force, said Dinampo, who teaches political science.

President Duterte recently ordered the deployment of another military division in Sulu following the deaths of five soldiers in clashes with the Abu Sayyaf there.

But House Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez (South Cotabato, 2nd District) supported the third extension of martial law in Mindanao.

During the joint congressional hearing on Wednesday, Hernandez noted that martial law allowed the armed forces to defeat the Islamic State-aligned Maute Group that laid siege in Marawi on May 23 last year.

Troops liberated Marawi from the terrorists five months after the siege.

“Since then, peace has been relatively restored. Trade and commerce resumed, and investors regained their confidence in conducting business on the island,” Hernandez said.

Under martial law, the military has been performing its mandate of upholding our sovereignty and protecting the people while respecting civilian authority and human rights, he added.

Contrary to the fears of its detractors, “there are no abuses” and the implementation of martial law has been generally peaceful, Hernandez claimed.