Extending martial law in Mindanao should be last resort, says Esperon

Martial law in Mindanao would be extended if "dictated by the situation and the desire of the people," National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Thursday, as authorities will have to decide on whether to recommend another extension to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The martial rule — declared on May 23 last year and extended twice already after securing majority support in Congress — is set to end on December 31, 2018.

The region was placed under martial rule following the attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute group on Marawi City, sparking a five-month armed conflict that left more than 1,000 people dead, mostly terror fighters, displaced thousands of residents.

"We have had discussion with that in the national security cluster but we still would like to think that the extension of martial law should be on a last resort basis," Esperon told reporters in Malacañang.

"Kailangan hindi ‘yun ang uunahin nating iniisip kung 'di isipin natin kung ano ‘yung kailangan doon sa Mindanao. We are getting all the feedback from the people and it may interest you to know that majority of the people of Mindanao want it. Nonetheless, we want the study to be extensive."

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Philippine National Police chief General Oscar Albayalde are in favor of another extension, with the latter citing the need to maintain the improving peace and order in Mindanao.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, said he has yet to receive a formal request for the extension from Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez Jr.

Galvez earlier said martial law has been effective in ensuring peace and order as well as increasing business activity in the region.

Duterte himself touted the effectiveness of martial law in Mindanao despite the bombings that rocked the region this year.

The President said on September 11 that martial rule has been a deterrent against crime. His critics, led by Vice President Leni Robredo, rejected claims of improvement in peace and order and said another extension was unnecessary.  — RSJ, GMA News