PNP cites elections for martial law extension
A potential bloody midterm elections is one of the reasons why the Philippine National Police (PNP) wants martial law to be 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 are usually turned as 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.
Based 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 work for them, including fund-raising and harassment on their rivals.
But Durana said partisan armed groups is not only a problem but also big rebel groups like the communist rebels in eastern and central part of Mindanao.
”There are activities of the rebel groups during elections. And these activities will continue even beyond election days. We have seen it 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 Mindanao.
“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 New People’s Army (NPA) like extortion and assassinations,” said Durana.
President Duterte was reported to have requested the Congress to extend the martial law for one year. Martial law was implemented in May last year due to Marawi City siege.