Senate aspirant Sahidulla asks military to spare civilians from operations amid Mindanao martial law

Senatorial aspirant and former Sulu Representative Nur-Ana "Lady Ann" Sahidulla on Tuesday said that she is in favor of the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.

“Hanggang hindi pa naman maayos yung dapat ayusin, okay ako sa martial law,” Sahidulla said during her interview on Dobol B sa News TV’s Ikaw Na Ba? senatorial interviews.

She said that due to the implementation of martial law on the region, "lawless elements" were unable to bring weapons that they can use in committing a crime.

“Kasi yung mga lawless elements, hindi sila basta-basta makakadala ng baril,” Sahidulla said.

However, the former lawmaker appealed to soldiers not to assault civilians using martial law as justification.

“Yun nga lang, ang sinasabi ko lang naman palagi sa mga military, sana pipiliin lang nila yung hindi sibilyan na walang kalaban-laban kung mag-operate man sila,” she said.

In December last year, Congress approved extending the implementation of martial law in Mindanao for another year.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2016 after the ISIS-inspired Maute group attacked and destroyed Marawi City.

Sahidulla pointed out that peace plays a big role in the development of a province when she was asked why Sulu didn’t improve much during his post as Sulu representative.

"Hindi makaunlad dahil sa sitwasyon doon. Ang mga tao, natatakot. At higit sa lahat, walang investor na pumapasok doon dahil walang peace e,” she said.

For Sahidulla, if peace is achieved in Sulu, development will follow. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News