Extension of martial law gets Palma’s support
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged the public to trust the government in the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.
Palma made the reaction after members of the House of Representatives and Senate voted to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year.
Palma told SunStar Cebu that he and other bishops would’ve wanted the government to lift the Proclamation 216 as soon as possible, saying that it is “not a good sign” for the country.
But following the lawmakers’ decision, he hopes that the National Government will ensure its proper implementation.
“Hopefully, this will be good for the country,” he said.
The Police Regional Office (7), for their part, implemented target-hardening measures following the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
PRO 7 Director Chief Supt Jose Espino said that they will not al- low a spillover of violence brought about by the conflict between government troops and the Maute terror group in Marawi City.
“Nothing has changed with the Philippine National Police’s alert status. We’re still on full alert, so any eventualities in the neighboring regions, particularly in the Negros Island Region and in Mindanao, we are taking precautionary measures,” he said.
During the weekend, 245 congressmen and 16 senators voted to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2017.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s previously imposed 60day martial rule in Mindanao lapsed last Saturday.
It was implemented last May 23 following the clash between government troops and the Maute terror group in Marawi. /