Año wants another extension of martial law in Mindanao

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said he is in favor of another extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Año said he got feedback from people in Mindanao who are requesting that military rule be prolonged.

"Para sa 'kin, having the feedback from the people of Mindanao, I would rather opt for another extension," Año said in a chance interview before the awarding ceremony of the Seal of Good Local Governance at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday.

DILG Sec Eduardo Año, pabor na palawigin ang martial law sa Mindanao @dzbb pic.twitter.com/YlaEvvFXXh

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) November 6, 2018

He said no abuses were recorded during martial law.

Año added that they will convene a meeting at the end of November in Davao to be attended by President Rodrigo Duterte and all Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) from Luzon and Mindanao.

The councils are expected to reach a consensus whether to extend martial law or not, he said.

"I-co-convene namin ang lahat ng RPOCs ng buong Luzon at Mindanao sa isang venue sa Davao. It would be attended also by the President. So ito ngayon ang pinakamagbibigay ng consensus kung ano ang kanilang magiging recommendation," Año said.

Mga Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) sa Luzon, kokonsultahin din kung palalawigin o hindi ang martial law sa Mindanao — DILG Sec Eduardo Año @dzbb pic.twitter.com/TO7GhMQ2M2

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) November 6, 2018

According to Año, before December 15, a recommendation will be submitted to Duterte.

Asked why Luzon officials are included in the meeting, Año explained that they initially planned to separately convene councils from Luzon and Mindanao. But since the meeting for Mindanao councils will be attended by the President, they believe it is a good opportunity also for Luzon officials to personally raise their concerns to Duterte.

But Año also said that another reason why officials from Luzon are included in the martial law meeting is because there are also security threats in Luzon particularly in communist-affected areas.

He identified Northern Luzon, Bicol and parts of Quezon. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is in favor of extending martial law in Mindanao, which is set to expire by the end of the year, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

“If ever the President decides to extend martial law, we fully support that kasi we see the improvement on the peace and order [situation],” Albayalde said at a news conference.

Last month, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Carlito Galvez Jr. said extending martial law in Mindanao is a sensible thing to do given the coming electoral and political exercises in southern Philippines.

However, he said it was premature to recommend the extension of martial law in Mindanao. —KG, GMA News