Solons hail PRRD’s decision not to extend martial law

Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun applauded the President for letting “reason and better judgment”, as well as wise counsel of advisers and public clamor, to prevail in his decision. (File photo: Atty. Lawrence “Law” Fortun/Facebook)

MANILA— Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Tuesday hailed the decision of President Rodrigo R. Duterte not to extend martial law in Mindanao, which is set to expire on December 31 this year.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun applauded the President for letting “reason and better judgment”, as well as wise counsel of advisers and public clamor, to prevail in his decision.

“I hope the remaining pockets of extremist, communist, warlord lawlessness and private armies in particular areas will be squelched for good because their terror activities continue to occasionally disrupt peaceful citizen’s lives, prevent economic growth, and ward away investors,” Fortun said.

AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin also asked the President to wipe out all the warlords, private armies, and small pockets of terrorist elements that hide in some corners of Mindanao.

“It is time to end the proliferation of guns and explosives in Mindanao. Please end this scourge that keeps Mindanao’s economy from taking off,” Garbin said.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo described President Duterte as a leader who truly earned the respect and trust of the armed services, noting how his every visit made to Mindanao served to boost the morale of the soldiers and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF).

“We have today a real commander-in-chief, who is both decisive and cares for his men in uniform. President Duterte and the generals rallied the troops and the PNP to victory against the destabilizers and terrorists in Mindanao,” Salo said.

Salo also congratulated the implementors of martial law—the Department of the Interior and Local Government, PNP, Department of National Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines—for successfully achieving their objective of weakening the terrorist and extremist rebellion.

Salo said this resulted in the capture or neutralization of terrorist leaders and the decrease in crime rate.

“I urge the barangays to warmly and triumphantly welcome the soldiers and policemen who implemented martial law in Mindanao and will return soon to the loving embrace of their families and friends,” he added.

President Duterte heeded the military ground commanders and Philippine security officials’ recommendation not to extend the martial law, following the drop in crime incidents in the southern Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“The Office of the President wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not extend martial law in Mindanao upon its expiration on December 31, 2019,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

“The Commander-in-Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” he added.

The siege laid by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group on May 23, 2017, prompted Duterte to place the whole of Mindanao under martial law.

Congress extended the initial 60-day martial rule thrice upon the President’s recommendation to help state forces quell the insurgency in Mindanao.