Mindanao leaders back martial law extension

Philippine Daily Inquirer | November 17, 2019

Mindanao leaders expressed qualified support for the extension of martial law once the declaration
expires at the end of the year.

Leaders of the two Lanao provinces backed the extension after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
suggested that it might not be necessary to extend martial law if Congress enacts the proposed Human
Security Act.

A state of martial law was first declared by President Duterte on May 23, 2017, and has been extended
three times by Congress, up to the end of this year.

Motu proprio resolution

But the peace and order council of Lanao del Norte province passed a resolution on Friday favoring the
extension of martial law.

Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo said the move was meant to prevent the inroads of
lawless groups into the province and disturb its security situation.

This view was shared by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.

Adiong told the Inquire that keeping martial law would help ensure the smooth implementation of
rehabilitation work in Marawi City because increased military and police presence reduces the threat
from violent extremists.

Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra also favored martial law extension for its security benefits because
many residents are still struggling to normalize their disrupted lives after the Marawi siege.

But Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia, a former police official, said there must be increased security
presence in areas threatened by extremists before martial law is lifted.

Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said a well-coordinated security mechanism would
ensure peace and order in Mindanao since remnants of the Maute group that laid siege on Marawi still
evoke worries among the people.

Lorenzana not inclined to recommend Mindanao martial law extension

Rappler.com | November 12, 2019

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, November 11, he was not inclined to recommend
extending martial law in Mindanao after it expires on December 31, but he would wait for the military
and the police to give their input before making his final recommendation to the President.

“Matagal nang masyado eh (It’s been too long), and we can do our job naman (anyway), especially if the
Senate or Congress can pass the Human Security Act,” Lorenzana told reporters in an interview at Camp
Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The defense chief said the proposed measure would “give teeth” to law enforcement, which would be a
“better arrangement” than martial law.

Mindanao has been under martial law since May 2017, when the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Maute terror
group laid siege to Marawi City. Although initially set for 60 days, martial law was extended first until the
end of 2017, and then until the end of 2018, and afterwards 2019, upon President Rodrigo Duterte’s
recommendation, which Congress approved each time.

Lorenzana and other security officials said at the time that martial law was necessary to curb terrorism
and threats of violence from communist guerrillas.

Proposed amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007 aim to broaden the definition of terrorism,
ease restrictions on surveillance, and prolong the lawful detention of terror suspects from the current 3
days to up to 60 days. Lorenzana earlier said the amendments would help the police and the military
identify suspects and build stronger cases against them.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said Davao City
no longer appeared to need martial law, reiterating his earlier statement that the measure could be
implemented “selectively” among different areas of Mindanao, depending on their security situation.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the President’s daughter, had requested that her city be exempted from
martial law.

"So far nakita naman natin, based from the observation din ng ating military commander...indeed 'yung
Davao City ay na-meet na niya kung ano 'yung mga criteria kung bakit p'wede na siya na matanggal sa
coverage ng martial law,” Arevalo told reporters on Monday, citing Lieutenant General Felimon Santos
Jr, commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, which covers Davao City.

(So far, we see that, based on the observation of our military commander…indeed Davao City has met
the criteria so as to be exempted from the coverage of martial law.)

Both Lorenzana and Arevalo said it would still be up to Duterte whether he would push to extend
martial law in Mindanao, but recommendations from the military and the police will factor into his
decision.

PNP backs lifting of martial law in Mindanao

The Philippine Star | November 13, 2019

Like the defense chief, the Philippine National Police (PNP) sees no need for another extension of
martial law in Mindanao.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac yesterday said security forces are in control in the south.

“Peace and order in Mindanao is under control and continues to show marked stability, a condition that
may eventually pave the way for the lifting of martial law,” Banac said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said he is not keen on further extending martial law in
Mindanao for another year.

The entire Mindanao region was placed under martial law following the siege of Marawi City from May
to October 2017. The third extension will expire on Dec. 31 this year.

Speaking to reporters, Banac said they support Lorenzana’s declaration for the lifting of military rule in
Mindanao.

He said extra security measures can be maintained in Sulu and other areas perceived as bailiwicks of
local terrorist groups.

“The alert level remains high particularly in Sulu,” Banac said.

The PNP will submit its recommendation before the National Security Council next month on whether
martial law in Mindanao should be extended, Banac said.

On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon called on the government not to extend the
existing martial law in Mindanao.

Drilon said the amendments to the Human Security Act should not be a prerequisite to the lifting of
martial law.

“It is high time that we bring back normalcy in the region… Do not dangle lifting martial law in Mindanao
in exchange for the speedy passage of the Human Security Act,” Drilon said, reacting to the statements
made by Lorenzana that another extension would not be necessary if Congress amends the Human
Security Act.

“The passage or non-passage of the amendments to the Human Securities Act is not a ground for
extending martial law in Mindanao,” Drilon stressed.

He said the Constitution is clear that martial law may be declared if actual rebellion exists and Congress
may extend the declaration if the rebellion persists and public safety requires it.

“That is the only ground for extension of martial law. But it is clear since day one that martial law or its
extension in Mindanao has no basis,” he said.
Drilon stressed Congress can revoke martial law anytime even without amending the Human Security
Act.

He agreed with Lorenzana, who said that martial law has been going on for too long.

“I hope they will not use martial law to put pressure on Congress to pass the amendments to the Human
Security Act. The amendments need thorough debates,” Drilon said.

Maguindanao governor favors ML extension

The Manila Standard | November 13, 2019

Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu on Tuesday said she wants martial law to continue
in Mindanao, particularly in her province.

“Martial law has given good results for the people of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said over a radio
station here Tuesday.

The governor believes martial law should continue in Maguindanao because this is what peace-loving
Maguindanaons want.

A number of military and defense officials have said that martial law extension is no longer necessary
since normalcy has been restored in Marawi and most parts of the island.

But for Mangudadatu, the presence of military and state forces in crime-prone areas and communities
vulnerable to violent extremism had helped a lot in preventing terrorism.

A random survey conducted by the provincial government showed that all 36 town mayors in
Maguindanao favor the continuation of martial law, believing that it serves as a preemptive measure
against extremists.

Mangudadatu said unless the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is defeated, martial law must
continue not only in Maguindanao but in neighboring areas as well.

In a separate interview, Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi also said that she favors the
extension of martial law, saying it has led to more than 50 percent of the drop of crimes in the locality
for the past two years.

“The City Council even came up with an overnight ‘discipline hour’ period just to maintain peace and
order in support of the martial law declaration,” the mayor said.

Marawi local chiefs too dependent on soldiers due to martial law – civic leader
Rappler.com | November 02, 2019

An outspoken Marawi civic leader offered another argument why martial law should be lifted in
Mindanao.

Local government chiefs have increasingly become dependent on soldiers and police, explaining why
most support a 4th martial law extension despite its impact on businesses and the daily lives of average
citizens.

"Dahil 'pag may martial law, parang nagiging relaxed ang ating mga LGUs, hindi na sila nagtratrabaho
dahil nandiyan naman 'yung martial law," said Drieza Liningding, chairperson of the Moro Consensus
Group, in a Facebook video post he allowed Rappler to quote.

The video, posted on October 26, was his reaction to Marawi rehabilitation czar Eduardo del Rosario's
expression of support for another martial law extension.

"'Pag may gusto silang gawin, ire-request nila 'yung mga sundalo, 'Kayo na lang gumawa diyan.' Bakit
hindi 'nyo kayang gampanan 'yung inyong trabaho at kailangan pa sa mga sundalo?" continued
Liningding.

Marawi and the rest of Mindanao have been under martial law for two years and a half. President
Rodrigo Duterte placed the region under martial law on May 23, 2017 after Muslim extremists took over
the city, and requested 3 extensions, so far, which Congress granted each time. The latest is supposed to
end by the end of 2019.

Lininding acknowledged that many Maranaos support an extension of military rule. Del Rosario himself
said many Mindanao local chiefs backed it, including Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr.

But Lininding said this should not come as a surprise since local executives have benefited the most from
martial law.

"To our local leaders, it's easy for you to request for soldiers, they can use this, the police, but how
about us ordinary citizens who have no influence over soldiers, police?" said Lininding.

Peace monitoring group International Alert also concluded in a recent report that martial law was
instrumental in reducing the number of conflict incidents and conflict-related deaths in 2018.

It said the establishment of checkpoints and strict monitoring during martial law helped control the
transport of loose firearms, which led to the drop in violent incidents.

If martial law were to be lifted, a policy on how to control loose firearms must be implemented to
prevent violence, recommended IA.

'Abnormal' situation

But for Lininding, Marawi residents may be getting too used to a state of martial law, which, despite it's
benefits, is merely a "Band-aid solution" to deeper security concerns.

Martial law, for instance, has not been a deterrent to rido or clan wars, nor has it stopped the spread of
illegal drugs.

"There are still plenty of drugs being confiscated now. If authorities would seize only a couple of grams
before, now they are seizing kilograms," Lininding said in Filipino.

Rido would be addressed better if local leaders made a stronger commitment to resolving the conflicts
without violence.

Depending on martial law would only be a step back for Maranaos, said the civic leader.

"Napaka abnormal ng situation natin. Itong martial law, abnormal ito, abnormal 'yung may curfew.
Abnormal 'yung bawal tumambay. Alas otso pa lang, pinapa-close na 'yung mga tindahan," said
Lininding.

Martial law has also restricted the movement of people who need to do their business after 8 pm, like
those who need to travel from Marawi City to cities outside, he said.

A visibly irritated Lininding also addressed Maranaos and Mindanaoans who publicly support martial law
even if they spend most of their time outside the city and region.

If they think it's safe in Marawi because of martial law, why do you live outside the city? he wondered.

"You who are pro-martial law, go home to Marawi. Those who are abroad promoting martial law, come
back here, live here. Work here so you can see what it's like," said Lininding.

Alternatives to martial law

A better solution to another martial law extension is increased police visibility and the activation of a
joint military and police security task force, suggested Lininding.

Mindanao cities like President Rodrigo Duterte's own Davao City has its Task Force Davao for this
purpose. Its mayor, Sara Duterte, has called for martial law to be lifted from the city.

Lininding also suggested strengthening the civilian Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT), saying
that these groups had been quite effective in the past in maintaining peace and order in some areas.

Back in November 2017, a BPAT unit arrested an Indonesian straggler of the Marawi siege.

These measures would be highly preferable to martial law extension and the establishment of a second
military camp in Marawi, said Lininding.
His group and other Marawi residents oppose the construction of this camp in a 10-hectare lot in
Barangay Kapataran. Projected to cost the government P400 million, the plan also entails displacement
of Marawi residents currently living in the area. Duterte had promised to compensate them.

But for Lininding, the camp is unnecessary because of the presence of Camp Ranao, headquarters of the
Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade in the city.

A second camp would only heighten tensions and frustrate residents who will have to leave their houses
to give way to the plan.

Unlike Del Rosario, other Duterte Cabinet members have been more cautious about expressing support
for another martial law extension.

Martial law has been extended thrice, with the support of Congress and the Supreme Court. The current
declaration will end on December 31, prompting new debate on whether Duterte should ask for another
extension.