Mayor Sara wants to keep suspension of permit to carry firearms outside residence after martial law ends

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has welcomed the lifting of martial law in Mindanao but maintained that the suspension of permit to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) should stay.

Duterte made the statement after her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, announced that he will lift the martial law declaration in Mindanao—a move supposedly aimed at neutralizing rebellion and extremists, by year's end.

"Mayor Inday Sara Duterte welcomed the lifting of martial law end of December as this would be beneficial for the economy of the Davao City. The lifting of martial law would entice more foreign tourists and investors to the city," a statement from her office read.

She conceded that the declaration of martial law, made after extremists from Maute group held Marawi City, Lanao del Sur under siege in May 2017, negatively affected the city since it prompted foreign governments to issue travel bans.

The Maute group wrought havoc for five months, taking hostages, destroying communities, killing non-Muslims and battling government troops with relentless sniper fire.

“There is a negative connotation in the international community when it comes to martial law. Through the lifting, by the end of the month, our standing in the international community will improve,” Duterte said.

“When it comes to local investment, there is no problem. But in the international community, the declaration of martial law and travel ban coming from their governments really affected us,” she added.

She, however, stood by the City Council's Resolution asking the Philippine National Police to continue the suspension of PTCFOR for a year.

"The suspension of PTCFOR will be an effective measure in maintaining the city's peace and order even without martial la. This is the only thing that we need to control our peace and order situation in the city,” she said.

The Marawi siege, which ended in October 2017, left over a hundred people dead and at least P53 billion worth of damages.

Since the President declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017, Congress has extended it three times: by six months in July 2017, by one year in December 2017 and by another year in December 2018 based on the President's argument that rebellion is still ongoing in Mindanao. — BM, GMA News