Andanar on martial law extension: ‘Actually accepted’

AMID potential terror threats, the possible recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to extend martial rule in the entire Mindanao is "actually accepted," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Saturday.

Andanar said the possible extension of martial law might be necessary since the government still has to spend more time in rehabilitating Marawi City, following the mass destruction caused by five-month battle between state forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists.

His statement came a day after AFP spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla Jr. floated the possibility of martial law extension in the southern part of the country.

He said the current administration conferred its trust on the AFP, the agency that is cognizant about the national security.

"The decision or the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is actually accepted," Andanar said in an interview with state-run dzRB.

“We respect the wisdom of [Major] General Restituto Padilla and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They are the ones who really know about such issue, the matters concerning national security.”

President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23 declared one-man rule in Mindanao for a period of 60 dyas as mandated by the 1987 Constitution, after local and foreign fighters associated with Islamic State (IS) launched attacks in Marawi City.

Congress, upon the President’s recommendation, extended the promulgation of martial law until end of December 2017 after it expired on July 22.

On Friday, Padilla said there was a possibility that martial law in Mindanao might be extended, if terror groups continue to pose security threats in the embattled region.

Padilla admitted that there were still terrorists who remain capable to launch belligerent attacks.

“We’re working towards that (lifting of martial law). We’re hoping to be able to address and normalize everything by the end of the year because that was the deadline given to us. But be that as it may, the network of the local terrorist groups still continue and this is the subject of our efforts,” the military spokesman told a press conference on Friday.

“So if we are able to address that by the remaining days of November, as well as the whole month of December, we will report that to you and give justification for the lifting of martial law. If not, we will have to request the extension to be able to address the remaining threats in the area,” he added.

Andanar said the military has valid basis to possibly ask the President to extend martial law, especially now that the government seeks to restore peace and order in Marawi City.

He said it would still be Duterte’s discretion whether martial rule should be extended or not.

“And they all have the reason to give their thoughts because the most important thing is the security of each Filipino. And in Mindanao, we all know that there are still problems after Maute and Isis have been defeated in Marawi,” he said.

“There is still rehabilitation. There is still clearing operation. There are also other elements, rogue elements in our society we need to closely monitor to prevent violence... But then again, it will be the President who will decide,” he added. SunStar Philippines