MARTIAL LAW STAYS EVEN AFTER MARAWI

Military spokesman says security of entire Mindanao needs to be assured first

Martial law may not be lifted even after the Marawi crisis is resolved, a military spokesman said.

Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they would need to assure the security of the entire Mindanao area before they could recommend the lifting of martial law.

“I would suppose so because there are follow-(ups) on actions that need to be done, in order to guarantee the whole security of Mindanao,” Padilla told reporters in a press conference, when asked if military control in Mindanao will not end, even if the skirmishes in Marawi City stop.

“The decision of lifting martial law has to be assessed because we have to look at the whole Mindanao, not just the Marawi itself,” he added.

Mindanao is under martial law for 60 days starting May 23. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law after fighting broke out in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur between government troops and Muslim militants allied with the Maute Group and Isnilon Hapilon.

Duterte, in a speech on June 1, assured that he would immediately revoke martial law in Mindanao if the military regains control in Marawi City.

Padilla reiterated that the security situation in the besieged city would soon normalize as the offensive attacks of Maute Group members continue to dwindle.

The military targets to clear the city of all militants by June 12, Independence Day.

Padilla said they planned to plant Philippine flags in every corner of Marawi City to signify the “unified stand” against the Islamic fighters.

“Our troops are working and working overtime to facilitate the liberation of Marawi at the quickest time that we can,” Padilla said.

“Definitely, we should (raise Philippine flags in Marawi City on Independence Day). And this is not only symbolic that we have maintained control over the area, even from the very start, but also symbolic of having the sentiments of the people in the area gravitate for a common unified stand against these bandits,” he added.

Padilla said the remaining militants were holed up in only three barangays of the city.

“We are confident that our troops are gaining important headway inside these areas. And as I mentioned the other day, definitely, proving that the world of terrorism inside the city is growing smaller by the day,” the military spokesperson said.

As of Thursday night, the death toll in Marawi has increased to 198 - 138 extremists, 40 government troops and 20 civilians.

Padilla said the government forces’ top priority is to secure the arrest of Hapilon and Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah who are the frontrunners of the Maute Group.

“The endgame is to have them arrested, if we can arrest them. But if we cannot, then to neutralize them because I guess, they will only fight until the end,” he said.

Padilla also assured the displaced families of Marawi City that the government would “reconstruct, rehabilitate, and rebuild” the city.