Military recommends ML extension in Mindanao

MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recommended the extension of martial law in the entire Mindanao, the military spokesperson said on Friday, December 8.

AFP spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla Jr. said the military’s recommendation was to “similarly” back the recommendation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to extend martial rule for a period of one year.

President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to act on the AFP and the PNP’s recommendation to extend martial law further in Mindanao.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) officerin-charge Catalino Cuy confirmed that they have endorsed the PNP’s recommendation for a one-year extension of martial law in the entire Mindanao.

“We endorsed the recommendation of (the) PNP,” he said.

DILG assistant secretary Jonathan Malaya explained that the extension of the martial law is to address the continuing terror threat in the said region particularly from the remaining members of the Maute terror group and also to ensure the safety and security of the ongoing rehabilitation of the war-stricken Marawi City.

“If there is continuing

threat, the rehab efforts will be stifled or hampered. Spending billions on rehab might be rendered useless the radical extremist groups are not completely neutralized. We cannot allow another Marawi to happen,” he said.

Padilla, for his part, clarified that the military’s recommendation is “separate and different from the recommendation of the police.” He said he was not privy to other details.

“The recommendation, I don’t have the details of as to the length, but as far as I am concerned, there is a recommendation to similarly support the recommendation of the Philippine National Police,” Padilla told Palace reporters.

“But I am not privy to the whole report and I am not at liberty to discuss whatever it is that has been placed in the recommendation, until such time that the decision has been made. It is for Mindanao area,” he added.