Palace: There is ‘peaceful environment’ in Mindanao because of martial law

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Malacañang on Saturday defended the government’s decision to extend martial law in Mindanao after a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 62 percent of Filipinos have agreed that there was no need to extend martial rule in the region.

“We understand the sentiment of the public when 62% of the respondents said they oppose martial law extension in Mindanao, given the construction of the survey question which began, ‘Dahil tapos na ang giyera sa Marawi City (Because the war in Marawi is over)…’” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Roque said it was necessary for the public to understand that martial law was instrumental in attaining a “peaceful environment” in many areas of conflict in Mindanao.

“We have to engage our people and make them aware that it is precisely because of martial law that there is a seemingly peaceful environment that is prevalent now in Mindanao, thus, they have this perception of tapos na ang giyera (war is over),” he said.

Martial law, he said, “allowed our defenders to keep the Daesh, their supporters, and remnants in check.”

“If martial law had not been implemented, the current situation in the communities in Mindanao would have been vastly different,” he said.

He said the attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City, which prompted the declaration of martial law, was “just the tip of the iceberg.”

“The Dawlah Ismaliya remains determined to establish an IS wilayat in Mindanao. With martial law in place, our defenders can establish a tighter net against these rebels and terrorists who will not stop until they are completely defeated,” he said.

The Palace official said the extension of martial law in Mindanao would also allow state troops to secure government agencies helping in the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

“In addition, martial law will also aid our defenders in securing Task Force Bangon Marawi agencies that are carrying out the rehabilitation of Marawi City,” he said.

Congress had earlier voted to approve the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 2018. /je