House, opposition leaders back Duterte on martial law in Mindanao

May 24, 2017

Top House and opposition leaders said they support the decision of President Rodrigo  Duterte placing Mindanao under martial law, stressing it was the right decision to end  the attacks of the ISIS-linked Maute Group in Marawi City. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said they will act on the martial law report that will be submitted by Duterte to Congress within 48 hours since it was declared past 10pm Tuesday. "As a Mindanaoan I fully believe there is basis for the declaration of martial law," Alvarez told reporters after attending on Wednesday the China (Guangxi) -Philippines Business Matching Seminar for Entrepreneurs in Makati Shangrila Hotel in Makati City. Suarez said Duterte has “no ulterior motive in declaring martial and all he wants is to avoid further chaos and anarchy.” Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, chairman of the House committee on rules, advised lawmakers to stay in Manila for possible convening of Congress in a joint session. Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison blamed the local officials in his province behind the terrorism, explaining some allegedly protect the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). DMS