LMP backs Duterte’s proclamation of martial law

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) on Friday expressed full support to President Duterte’s proclamation placing Mindanao under martial law in light of the recent and ongoing terror attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City.

In a statement sent by e-mail to media groups, LMP national spokesperson Mayor Don Abalon of San Roque, Northern Samar, and speaking in behalf of LMP National President Maria Fe V. Brondial of Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, said Brondial and the other national officers of the LMP strongly condemn this attack which has resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and military and police personnel in Marawi City and damage to government facilities and infrastructure.

Abalon also quoted Brondial as saying: “As mayors comprising the LMP, we share President Duterte’s resolve to protect and defend the people, stop terroristic acts and all forms of lawlessness to ensure peace and development for our country and people. It is in this common objective that we declare our full and unequivocal support to the President and to his declaration of martial law”.

Brondial continued that “the LMP condemns all acts of terror and the resulting spate of violence and killings in Mindanao and other parts of the country and calls on the citizenry to fully support the government in this campaign for law and order.”

LMP is an organization of all the 1,489 municipalities of the Philippines, mandated by law. Aside from Brondial, the other key officers are Mayor Sandy Javier of Javier, Leyte, as its Executive Vice President; and Mayor Abraham Burahan of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Sulu, as its Secretary General./rga