Martial law boosts limited military capability vs. Mindanao terrorists

Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday that he believes the declaration of martial law in Mindanao has augmented the military's constrained capability in efforts to crush Maute-ISIS group that attack Marawi City.

In an interview with dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo  on Sunday, he said that the terrorists are still able to put up a resistance so far into the war that has raged since May 23.

"Kailangan bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga sundalo na masawata ang mga taong naghasik ng lagim at dilim," he said.

He said he was surprised that until now the terrorists have not run out of ammunition, bombs, high-powered firearms and they are still able to kill soldiers. 

"Hindi naman kagalingan ang ating intelligence, mga kagamitan ... kaya lahat ng advantage, at para hindi mamatayan ang sundalo  at magamit lahat yung [kakayahan] at matulungan ang kakapusan nila ay dapat mabigyan sila ng tunay na pag-alalay."

Things could have been worse in Marawi and the whole of Mindanao if martial law was not declared.

Through the checkpoints and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the arrest of some Maute members in different parts of Mindanao were made possible.

"Hindi pa natin alam kung ano ang nangyari kung walang martial law at mga checkpoints. Mabilis ng pagkilos nitong masasamang loob, mga insurgent ...mukhang nasasawata..." Gordon added. 

He stressed that the ISIS-Maute and its groups in Mindanao should be crushed the soonest possible time, saying that he doesn't want to see the Philippines experiencing the fate of Syria, Libya and other countries that are being devastated by the ISIS scourge.

"Ngayon palang, kailangang tapusin lahat, ayaw kung magaya tayo sa Syria, Libya ... durog na pero hindi parin tapos."

Asked about his assessment of President Duterte's handling of the situation in Marawi, he said, "I have to commend the President na talagang makikita mo yung malasakit niya. Pumupunta sa mga namatayan.  Hindi natin nakita 'yan noong araw eh. Hindi pumupunta yung presidente 'pag may namatay na pulis o sundalo.

Gordon hoped that Duterte's dedication to end terrorism would be matched with efforts by soldiers and citizens in helping end terrorism in the country.

But he said he would not advise the President to go to Marawi City while the war continues, so the soldiers could focus on their work instead of worrying for his security. —LBG, GMA News