Galvez: Peace-loving people in Mindanao want martial law to stay forever

May 24, 2018

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez said on Thursday that some people in Mindanao want martial law to stay forever.

In a press conference in Marawi City, Galvez said some of the residents hailed the "good implementation of martial law," particularly against lawless elements.

"They love martial law. The peace-loving people saw what we call the remarkable improvement of peace and order,” he said.

"(O)thers said 'we want martial law forever here in Mindanao'… because they saw that martial law is being implemented against lawless elements. If you are peace loving people, you will be more favorable and comfortable with martial law,” Galvez added.

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs Chief, said positive feedback on the implementation of martial law come from the people being served by the military forces in Mindanao.

“We have four army infantry divisions in Mindanao, distributed all over Mindanao, under two unified commands, one air force division, naval stations all over and marine brigades. All of them are giving us feedback from the populace they are serving and in contact with. One third of our forces are residents of Mindanao. They are the sources of our information,” he said.

“I am also from Mindanao and all of my relatives are happy with the implementation of martial law. There are no rallies in Mindanao against martial law. If there is, they don’t represent the majority of the Mindanaons. We support the martial law because it makes our mission accomplishment efficient and faster,” he added.

Galvez also emphasized the importance of the continued implementation of martial law in Mindanao to support the government’s campaign against loose firearms.

He cited that from January, the military was able to collect 6,000 firearms.

"In Jolo we saw that it (martial law) is very effective because we can search houses, of those suspiciously hiding firearms and illegal materials in their houses,” he added.

Galvez also said that as of May, the military has recorded a total of 42 terrorists who surrendered in Mindanao.

“I believe the support of the Maute-ISIS is waning because we have 42 surrenderees… These surrenderees have reward… and they are also known to the circles of the Mautes,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS