Arroyo ok with possible martial law extension in Mindanao

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is joined by Former President and Incumbent Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Arroyo and Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President as they witness the program proper during the 116th Labor Day Celebration at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City on May 1, 2018. (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday, August 30, expressed support to President Rodrigo Duterte and his declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“I support martial law in Mindanao. I’ll support what the President does because I’ve been president and I believe that he does not need a peanut gallery to tell him what to do,” Arroyo told reporters in Pampanga.

Arroyo’s remark came after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday hinted that martial law in Mindanao may be extended, following the deadly bombing in Sultan Kudarat.

“It’s an option… We’re trying to make it as easy as possible na walang ano but kung ganito pa rin ‘yung nangyayari, anong gagawin natin? Upo lang tayo diyan (so that things like this won’t happen but if this will continue, what are we going to do? We will just sit there)?” he said.

Medialdea, however, stressed that he does “not necessarily” recommend a martial law extension, but considers it an option.

“‘Yung mga signs na ganito hindi maganda ‘yan eh (Signs like these are not good). You want lives and limbs in danger na lang… fiesta pasasabugan ka (During a fiesta someone will bomb you)? How would you feel?” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. also echoed Medialdea’s remark.

But while the two Palace officials shared the same view, several government officials like Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo were opposing the possible martial law extension, saying that the current implementation of the military rule did not prevent violence in Mindanao over the past months.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Senate President Vincente “Tito” Sotto III also said it is ‘early’ to make such recommendation.

President Rodrigo Duterte first placed the entire Mindanao region under Martial law in May 27 due to the Marawi siege. The Congress then gave in to the Chief Executive’s request and extended the martial rule until the end of 2018 to “ensure total eradication of DAESH-Inspired Da’awatul islamiyah Waliyatui Masriq (DIWM), other like-minded local/foreign terrorist groups and armed lawless groups, and the communist terrorists and their coddlers, supporters, and financiers.”