Military officials believe martial law in Mindanao should be extended for a year: source

December 7, 2017

There is a consensus among military commanders that martial law in Mindanao should be extended for one year, a source said Thursday.

“One year, so that hopefully we were able to finish this,”the source from Camp Aguinaldo said.

“The recommendations came from them (ground commanders) then it goes up to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).... they are for it,” the source noted.

“They need the mechanism especially the suspension of writ (of habeas corpus), that is the important component,” the source added.

In an interview last Tuesday,  Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that their recommendation on whether martial law should be extended in Mindanao was submitted to the Office of the President last Monday.

The source said government forces are verifying a possible alliance between the Islamic State inspired terrorist groups and the New People’s Army in Mindanao.

“There is monitoring on possible tactical (alliance) between Daesh and NPA... it's  being worked out for a long time but it’s getting stronger now. Recruitment has continued during the lull after Marawi. They are recruiting  around the Lake Lanao area, even here in Manila,” the source said.

The source said the information needs more verification but..." its logical because of what happened to Maute then the NPA are looking for allies… I think it’s going to be a marriage of convenience...for the moment." Robina Asido/DMS