Duterte may decide ML extension next week

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to decide on the extension of martial law in Mindanao next week as the military has already crafted its recommendation, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said yesterday, just as government initiated rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi City.

Roque, in an ABS-CBN News report yesterday, said he already received the recommendation from the Armed Forces but declined to give details until next week, when the document is formally submitted to the president.

"The military has already decided. They will give the recommendation to the president this Sunday. I also received their statement but I will announce it on Monday," he said in a press briefing in Zamboanga City.

Roque did not categorically say if military officials supported calls to extend martial law in Mindanao, but he said military rule would help in rebuilding the Islamic city as "the threat of terrorism remains."

Martial law was first declared in Mindanao on May 23, when firefights between government and Islamic State-linked terrorists erupted in Marawi City. In July, upon the lapse of the initial 60-day declaration, Congress extended it to December 31 on Duterte's request.

"Bagamat na-liberate na natin ang Marawi, ang banta ng terorismo at violent extremism ay nananatili," Roque said of the firefights that ended on October 23. "Makakatulong ang martial law sa proseso ng pagbabangon sa Marawi kasi can you imagine? Well I don't want to pre-empt ... pero lahat ng involved sa [Task Force] Bangon Marawi, they will feel safer if the president will exercise his power as commander-in-chief," he said.

On Friday, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, head of Task Force Bangon Marawi, said martial rule in Mindanao would be helpful in securing rehabilitation activities in the city, which was left in ruins after five months of fierce clashes.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also said he is in favor of another extension of martial law in Mindanao, citing security concerns in the region.

Roque shunned criticism on the possibility of a second extension of martial law. "What matters most is the view of the stakeholders, the view of the Mindanaoans on martial law. Kung ang mga taga Mindanao ay hindi tumututol, why should people from Luzon complain? Hindi naman sila apektado," he said.

Roque said Duterte will issue his decision on the matter before Congress goes on holiday break by mid-December.

"Congress will go on recess on the 15th and, as you all know, we cannot have an extension without the consent of Congress," he said.