House of Representatives Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
Congress is sure to approve extending martial law for a few months without batting an eye.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday has this to say when asked if Congress, dominated by allies of the administration, will find it difficult to consider President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend the martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year.
“Wala, sa tingin ko ano, tuloy-tuloy lang ito,” Alvarez said when asked in a dzMM interview if securing Congress’ approval for the martial law extension would prove difficult.
READ: Speaker Alvarez leads allies in supporting martial law extension
Alvarez said securing Congress’ approval for the martial law extension faces easy sailing on the scheduled Saturday special session, especially with the surveys showing majority approval of the martial law declaration in Mindanao.
Before the President’s second Sona on Monday, Congress will have a special special joint session on Saturday, July 22 as called for by President Duterte to tackle the extension of the Mindanao martial law.
READ: Congress to convene on martial law extension Saturday
“Kasi nakita naman natin ano, in all surveys, talagang pabor ‘yung taong bayan dun sa declaration ng martial law sa Mindanao. Ibig sabihin, na-appreciate nila kung gaano kabigat yung problema,” Alvarez said.
READ: Pinoys back martial law in Mindanao, but not elsewhere
Alvarez said there is a need to extend the Mindanao martial law for five more months for fear of reprisal from terrorists, including the Maute group, whose attack in Marawi City compelled Duterte to declare martial law in the south.
“Saka dapat isaalang-alang natin dito na, alam mo, kahit matapos yung bakbakan diyan sa Marawi ay hindi nangangahulugan na tapos na ‘yung problema, dahil po tiyak ito ay may resbak din, iyan ang pinangangambahan natin and nakita ko nga, talagang nangangamba, hindi lang sa Mindanao kundi ang buong sambayanan,” Alvarez said.
With the 60-day period of his martial law decree set to expire on July 22, the chief executive has asked for martial law until the end of the year to put an end to the threat of terrorism in the south. JE
READ: Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao extended until end of 2017