Martial law needed in Mindanao for midterm polls – PNP

Apotential bloody midterm elections is one of the reasons why the Philippine National Police (PNP) wants martial law extended in Mindanao.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said the political landscape in Mindanao is way different in Luzon and the Visayas due to the presence of a number of armed groups which turn out to be private goons of erring politicians.

“I think it would be better if this would be extended not for anything else but for the best interest of the people of Mindanao,” said Durana.

Bases on the PNP data, almost all of the 77 armed groups monitored in the country are operating in Mindanao.

These armed groups are sometimes being tapped by local politicians to do dirty works for them, including fund-raising and harassment of their rivals.

But Durana said partisan armed groups are not only a problem but also big rebel groups like the communist rebels in the eastern and central parts of Mindanao.

”There are activities of the rebel groups during elections. And these activities will continue even beyond the elections. We have seen it and that is the reason why we are focusing on it,” said Durana.

In fact, he said the PNP leadership has started doing some interventions three to four months ago in order to contain the operations of armed groups in Mindanano.

“We have initiated countermeasures to reduce if not totally eradicate these election-related violent incidents not only coming from the unscrupulous politicians and their private armed groups but threats from rebel groups like the New People’s Army (NPA) like extortion and assassinations,” said Durana.

President Duterte was reported to have requested Congress to extend Martial Law for one year. It was implemented in May last year due to the Marawi City siege.