Martial law in Mindanao is for morale of soldiers —Cynthia Villar

Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday said her affirmative vote to extend martial law in Mindanao is a vote for the government forces battling the Maute group in Marawi City.

Speaking with members of the press at Batasang Pambansa hours before President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address, Villar explained that martial law helps facilitate the arrest of Maute group members more efficiently.

She added, "Martial law is also for the morale of the soldiers."

Sen. Villar says she is looking forward to hearing the President's plan for agriculture | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/SRLVvPlEAq

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Villar also said she hopes peace and order are reestablished in the small communities most affected by armed conflict.

Government forces have been battling the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City since May 23. Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law that evening, effective for 60 days.

Villar is one of 16 senators who voted to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2017 in a joint session of Congress on Saturday.

She also said she is looking forward to hearing Duterte reveal his plan for agriculture in his second SONA. Villar heads the Senate Committee on Agriculture. —KG/KVD, GMA News