Enrile supports extended Mindanao martial law, says talks with Reds 'useless'

Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday said he was in favor of the extension of martial law in Mindanao and President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to suspend talks with communists.

"Diyan nga, hinaharap nga 'yung problema ng ISIS (Islamic State), at nandito na sa Pilipinas 'yan,  at parang HIV 'yan...'pag nadapuan ka niyan, matagal mong gamutin," Enrile said in a News To Go interview.

He said this is why he supports Duterte's decision to ask for an extension of martial law in Mindanao.

"Tama 'yung ginawa ni Presidente Duterte, sapagka't matapos man 'yung barilan 'dun sa Marawi, hindi pa tapos 'yung problema eh, nandiyan pa sila," Enrile said.

He added that the terrorism problem in the country is more serious than the communist rebellion during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., which he said prompted the declaration of martial law in 1972.

The former senator, who served as defense and justice secretary during Marcos' time, said Duterte's critics should be careful with their pronouncements against the Mindanao martial law because it concerns national security.

"Seguridad ng bawat isa sa atin 'yung nangyayari at ang nakakaalam nga diyan, ang Presidente ng Pilipinas sapagka't nasa kanyang kamay ang lahat ng detalye, lahat ng impormasyon, lahat ng desisyon, at lahat ng responsibilidad," he added.

Enrile is one of the leader of the 1986 People Power Revolution that drove Marcos from power, ending the decade-long martial rule in the country.

Talks with Reds useless

Enrile also supported Duterte's decision to suspend the government's negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

He said that what the communists really want is to take over the government.

"Palagay ko useless na 'yun eh. Matagal na namin kinakausap din 'yang mga 'yan, walang nangyayari sapagka't gusto nila yung kapangyarihan ng bansa," he said.

"Hindi sila interesado sa negotiation. Ginagamit lang nila 'yun para ma-propagandize yung kanilang position," he added.

Enrile said the communist movement has a long history of unsuccessful attempts to overthrow governments around the world.

"Mawalang-galang sa kanila, pinag-aralan ko 'yan eh. Ang istratehiya ng communist movement sa buong mundo...'yung yanigin ang nakaupong gobyerno para sila naman ang hahawak ng kapangyarihan."

"Hindi sila nagtagumpay sa Indonesia. Merong mga bayan na 'di sila nagtagumpay. Dito sa Pilipinas hindi sila nagtagumpay kaya ngayon nandyan pa sila, nagmamartsa pa sila," he added.

Enrile said the public should support Duterte instead of criticizing him over the decision to suspend talks with the communists.

Duterte called off backchannel talks with the communist group after members of the New People's Army attacked a Presidential Security Group (PSG) convoy in Cotabato City.

The President considers the attack as an attempt on his life, saying that the PSG men in the convoy were his advance party in Cotabato. —Margaret Clair Layug/ALG/KVD, GMA News