AFP may recommend to maintain martial law in some parts of Mindanao, spokesman says

October 17, 2017

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) might recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the continuous declaration of state of martial law in some parts of Mindanao due to the presence of terrorists and other lawless elements.

In the "Mindanao Hour" press briefing in Malacanang, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesman, cited there are still militants in other parts of Mindanao, such as Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao, Maguindanao and Cotabato.

He said these need to be addressed continuously for the threat to be managed.

Asked if martial law will be lifted after the clearing operations in Marawi, Padilla said there will be a consultation that will be conducted before that is done.

"And from the side of the military, although this is a political decision, we will make appropriate recommendations," he said.

But Padilla added, "there is a greater threat here that needs to be addressed and the need for the maintenance of martial law in some parts is really important because of the network, the existence of the network of all these terrorist groups."

"Be that as it may, we would like to assure the public that we all look forward to the return to normalcy of every part of Mindanao," he said.

Padilla reiterated that people should not fear martial law if they are law abiding citizens.

"It is something that we need to do in order to address quickly and adequately those threats that are looming in the horizon or in the environment that may result to the harm of innocents like what happened in Marawi," he explained.

Duterte has imposed martial law in the whole of Mindanao since May 23 until December 31 this year. He declared martial law shortly after the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists stormed Marawi.

On Monday, the military killed two high ranking terrorist leaders, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

Duterte declared on Tuesday that Marawi was free from terrorists despite the stillnongoing operations against some 20 remaining strugglers. Celerina Monte/DMS