Marawi bishop relieved martial law lifted in Mindanao

January 4, 2020

Marawi Bishop Edwin Dela Peña Saturday sighed with relief with the lifting of  martial law in Mindanao after two and a half years. 

In a radio interview, Dela Peña said this could pave the way for the return of normalcy in the region. 

"We are happy that martial law has ended because it always conjures in the mind of people an emergency situation," said Dela Peña over Church-run Radio Veritas. 

"Under an emergency scenario, we cannot think of normalizing our lives, including commerce and industry. It is difficult to invest in Mindanao when there is that sense of emergency. So we’re happy it is finished," he added. 

On December 31 2019, the imposition of martial law in Mindanao expired, two and a half years since it was imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2017. 

Military rule had been imposed in Mindanao in response to the attack of the Maute-ISIS terror group in Marawi City. 

Dela Peña said this does not mean that the local Church has been against martial law. 

He said having a bigger military presence in the region made it peaceful and orderly. 

"I think it was providential to have Martial Law declared here in Mindanao," he said. DMS