AFP chief warns of repercussions if martial law stopped in Mindanao

Armed Forces chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero warned of a backlash if the one year extension martial law would be nullified.

“We expect na magkakaroon siya ng significant effects sa operations considering that bulk of yung operations natin will be in Mindanao. We will be relying and depending on some of the martial law powers,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Guerrero said he was referring to the conduct of checkpoints, vigilance patrols, visibility patrols and intensified military operations.

In a separate ambush interview, Lorenzana said they requested for an extension of martial law because they believed that rebellion still exists in the region.

Lawmakers approved late December the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao for a whole year to quell the threat of terrorism.

Prior to the year-long extension, Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao last May 23 when the Maute Group attacked Marawi City. The 60-day promulgation ended last July 22 but was later extended by Congress until Dec. 31, 2017.

But human rights lawyers and opposition lawmakers have recently filed separate petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the martial law extension. /je