Pimentel will back proposed martial law extension in Mindanao

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will back the proposed extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year, calling it a “benevolent” martial law.

Asked if he would support the martial law extension, like Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Pimentel said: “Oo wala naman akong natatangap na negative report. Pag nagtatanong naman ako parang this is a benevolent martial law.”

“Eh ako lumaki din ako sa time ng martial law na takot lahat. May curfew, takot magsalita. Sa Mindanao hindi daw. Wala eh. Walang effect – except that out of the camps ang mga military. That’s the only effect,” the Senate leader said.

Despite this, Pimentel said they would listen to the briefing of the martial law administrators to find out the factual basis of the one-year extension.

“Ano ba ang alam ng military? How come they recommended the extension? Makinig muna din kami,” he said.

It was the Armed Forces of the Philippines that recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the martial law extension in Mindanao for another year.

Duterte declared martial law last May 23 after the terrorist Maute Group attacked Marawi City.

In July, Congress approved Duterte’s request to extend it until Dec. 31 this year.

/atm

READ: Congress votes 261-18 to extend Mindanao martial law ’til year’s end