Martial law in Mindanao served its purpose: prelate

FILE: Clad in full battle gear, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visits the war-torn Marawi City for the third time on August 24, 2017 to boost the morale of the government troops from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident. During his visit, the President shared words of encouragement to the troops and vowed anew that he will cover the educational expense for their children. He also handed financial assistance, food packs, and watches. Not minding the dangers of the ongoing battle to reclaim Marawi City from the terrorists, the President ordered his convoy to stop at an area outside the safe zone so he could inspect the damages near ground zero and talk to the troops guarding the buildings which were previously occupied by terrorists from the Maute Group. President Duterte also made a stopover at a temporary patrol base where he tried out a sniper rifle and fired it towards the direction of the enemies. PHOTO BY SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — A Mindanao bishop said on Friday the declaration of martial law in Mindanao has served its purpose of ensuring peace and order.

“I think it was providential na nagkaroon, naisipang i-proclaim yung Martial Law dito sa Mindanao dahil nga at least nagdulot ito ng kapayapaan. Nakatulong ito sa pagsugpo sa masasamang elemento (that Martial Law was proclaimed here in Mindanao because at least, it brought peace. It helped in curbing lawless elements),” Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña said in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Following the end of martial law in the region on Dec. 31, 2019, dela Peña said the people are now going about their lives normally.

“At the same time, we are also happy that martial law has ended because it always conjures in the mind of people an emergency situation,” he said.

”If we are always in an emergency mode, we cannot think of normalizing our lives including commerce and industry.

It is difficult to attract foreign investments here in Mindanao if there is always an emergency,” he added.

He, however, admitted that there still has no change in the situation in Marawi City, the ground zero of the battle between government forces and Muslim extremists.

“We are still waiting and it’s very difficult now to be waiting after more than two years since the clashes broke out, ”he said.

On May 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in response to the attack of ISIS-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City.

It was extended three times, running a total of 953 days.