AFP allays fears of rights abuses amid bid to extend martial law

The Philippine Amy and the Philippine Marines  are deployed  in Mapandi, Marawi City for assault on militants’ lairs. Photo by : Richel V. Umel, Inquirer Mindanao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday allayed fears of human rights abuses amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year.

“We would like to allay fears of our people about the extension of martial law…Your AFP remains committed to the strict adherence of existing laws including that of human rights,” AFP public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a press briefing.

“We urge the public to give the same degree of cooperation and assistance they have contributed, that they have exhibited that led to the successful implementation that yielded positive results. After all law abiding citizens should not have a problem with martial law,” he said.

On Tuesday, the President has called on Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31 of this year.

Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law last May 23, when the fighting between government troops and IS-linked Maute terrorist group broke out.

The 60-day period of the first martial law proclamation is set to end by July 22.

Arevalo declined to disclose their recommendation on whether to extend martial law or not, citing “matters of national security.” Frances G. Mangosing/ac