Pacquiao favors one-year extension of ‘happy’ martial law in Mindanao

Sen. Manny Pacquiao (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

It’s a “happy” and “good” martial law in Mindanao. So said Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who favored the proposal to extend it for another year.

“Walang problema sa akin. Masaya naman kami taga Mindanao,” he told reporters on Monday.

“Mas maganda nga yung martial law dun eh. Kung baga hindi ka matatakot mamasyal, safe,” the neophyte senator added.

Contrary to what other people fear about martial law, Pacquiao said the declaration in Mindanao was not violent. The people in region, he said, felt safe and had peace of mind.

Asked then if the one-year extension had enough basis, the senator said the decision would be better left to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Siya ang nakakaalam sa sitwasyon sa Mindanao,” he said. “Tayo naman eh kulang sa kaalaman… Mas marami siyang alam kung ano ang problema ng Mindanao.”

“So para sa akin, we should give respect and trust to the President kung ano ang decision. Magtiwala lang tayo sa Pangulo,” Pacquiao added.

Asked again if he would vote for martial law extension, the senator answered in the affirmative.

“Para asa akin, oo, as a Mindanaoan, taga-Mindanao. Masarap nga eh,” he said.

According to Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III, Congress plans to hold a joint session on Wednesday to tackle the proposed one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao. /atm