A pro-administration lawmaker on Tuesday supported calls to extend martial law in Mindanao beyond Dec.31 should there be a formal proposal filed in Congress for such an extension.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, said the clamor of various groups to extend military rule for the third time on the island should be considered by Congress in deliberating on whether to grant the extension if and when Malacañang asked for it.
“We should give more weight to the inputs of the people living in Mindanao in considering a request for the extension of martial law on the island. Mindanaoans are the ones experiencing what it is like to live under martial law for a year-and-a-half now, so they would have a better grasp of what is an acceptable option for them for continued peace and security,” said Villafuerte, also vice chairman of the House committee on local government.
He cited, for instance, the observation of Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad, who said that crime incidents in Mindanao had declined since martial law was enforced.
The Catholic leader also said military rule helped enforce discipline among the people in the South, with law enforcers performing their duties in a professional and respectful manner.
Jumoad also noted that unlike the Marcos-era martial law, the freedom of expression and freedom of the press were still very much alive in Mindanao.
Villafuerte said the people had no reason to be apprehensive over the possible extension of martial rule in Mindanao, considering that there had been no reports of widespread violations by the military or police on the island ever since it was first imposed in May last year.
President Rodrigo Duterte first imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after the Maute terrorists laid siege on Marawi City.
He asked for a five-month extension that lasted until Dec. 31, 2017 after the 60-day declaration lapsed in July.
A second extension was granted by the Congress continuing the period of martial law until Dec. 31, 2018.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said Malacanang might ask for an extension of martial law in Mindanao for a third time depending on the advice of the military. Maricel V. Cruz
Meanwhile, Villafuerte called on government agencies involved in the rehabilitation of Marawi to speed up their work after President Duterte expressed exasperation over the alleged slow pace of the Bangon Marawi program.
“It behooves the Task Force Bangon Marawi to work double-time on the rehabilitation program to enable the displaced residents of the war-torn city to get back on their feet and revive their local economy at the soonest possible time,” he said.