‘Overwhelming sentiment’ of Mindanaoans pushed AFP to recommend martial law extension

The supposed people's satisfaction with the results of the martial law implementation in Mindanao led the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to recommend another extension.

AFP Public Affairs chief Colonel Noel Detoyato made the remark on Sunday after President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress for another martial law extension in Mindanao.

"The overwhelming sentiment of the people and the local government officials in Mindanao, 'yun ang naging basehan natin," Detoyato said.

"Dahil na rin sa impormasyon na binibigay nila at sa information din na meron tayo na there is still an ongoing armed rebellion sa Mindanao," he added.

According to Detoyato, the people of Mindanao responded favorably to the implementation and the results of the ongoing martial law there.

"Nakakausap natin ang mga tao. They are satisfied with the current security situation dahil relatively naging peaceful 'yung karamihan sa mga lugar sa Mindanao," he said.

At the same time, Detoyato claimed there is still an ongoing armed rebellion in the region.

"May mga threat pa rin of terroristic activities. That is common knowledge. We always read and give that to the papers but it's actually happening on the ground," he said.

Nevertheless, Detoyato said crime incidents in Mindanao have gone down by 38 percent since martial rule was implemented in May last year.

"'Yung kagandahan kasi ng mga random and constant na checkpoints natin, nali-limit natin 'yung movement ng may mga dalang armas at 'yung mga taong may masasamang balak. Kaya nagkaroon ng relative peace across Mindanao," he said.

Critics of the administration may claim that martial law in Mindanao is "de facto" permanent, but Detoyato said the people of Mindanao who experience it directly are the ones who can say whether martial rule can already be lifted or not.

"Situation nga ang nagdi-dictate niyan e," he said.

Detoyato said that while they have prepared a report and briefing on the assessment of the current situation in Mindanao and the sentiments of its people, he leaves it to Congress to decide whether or not to extend martial law anew.

"We are confident about our report. On the decision, we leave it to the wisdom of the lawmakers," he said.

The briefing for the lawmakers will be held this week, Detoyato said.

Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 last year after the ISIS-inspired Maute group attacked and destroyed Marawi City.

Initially valid for only 60 days, Congress, upon request of Duterte, approved the extension of martial law in Mindanao twice.

Martial law in Mindanao is expected to end on December 31 this year. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News