Marawi mayor on martial law extension: It depends on the situation

Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra (Photo from the Philippine Information Agency)

It depends on the situation.

This was how Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra viewed the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao.

“Depende po sa sitwasyon (It depends on the situation),” Gandamra said in a interview with Radyo Inquirer on Tuesday. “If it calls for the extension of martial law, then that is the prerogative of the President.”

“Kung sa palagay niya, hindi pa nawawala ang threat nitong [extremist] groups ay nasa Pangulo po yan,” he added.

(“If he thinks the threat of extremist groups still exists, then it’s up to the President.”)

Gandamra said his city supported the May 23 martial law declaration “because of the situation.”

“During that time, ’yon ang naging magandang hakbang to address rebellion and lawlessness na nangyayari sa Marawi City,” he said.

(“During that time, it was the appropriate step to address rebellion and lawlessnes that was happening in Marawi City.”)

Asked further as a civilian authority who experienced the siege, if he would push for the extension of martial law, Gandamra said: “Ang sa amin po kung kakayanin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan even without the extension of time para sa martial law. Eh di mas maganda po dahil nandyan naman po ang civilian authority.”

(“For us, if we can attain peace without the extension of martial law, it’s better because the civilian authority is there.”)

“Basta ma-observe ang karapatang pantao ay wala naman pong issue doon (As long as human rights are observed, I take no issue at the extension),” he added.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said on Saturday, July 8, that he would recommend to the House of Representatives a five-year martial law extension, which the military found “too long.”

Several groups alleged that government forces in Marawi abuses had committed abuses in Marawi.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a martial law administrator, assured on Tuesday that no abuses had been committed. –Rogelio Nato Jr., INQUIRER.net intern /atm