No need to fear martial law -- military official

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 1): No need to  fear martial law --  military official

Life should go on as normal  as possible despite martial  law being  imposed in Mindanao,  a   military official emphasized.

Lieutenant ColoneL Ricky Bunayog,  chief for operations of  the 6th Infantry Division  Philippine  Army,  at the  special meeting of the  Regional Peace and Order  Council  (RPOC) 12 on Monday  underscored that the public  should  not  fear the imposition  of martial  rule  in Mindanao.

“Our general directive is that the people should be able to continue with the conduct of their normal daily activities and that their social  and economic activities should remain unhampered.  All law-abiding  citizens have nothing to fear  in the implementation of Martial Law as their rights shall be respected at all times,"  Lt. Col. Bunayog  said.

Bunayog  briefed  the RPOC  12 on  the guidelines pertaining to the  Proclamation No. 216 as well as the salient points , guidelines and considerations in the implementation of martial law and the  efforts of the  Armed of the Philippines  (AFP) pertaining to its enforcement.
 
"If you have nothing  to hide, then you  have no reason to fear,"  he  said, stressing further that  the declaration of martial law is  intended to "restore peace and order which will be focused on the efforts to suppress rebellion perpetuated  by terrorists and other related  armed groups that seriously threaten  and  affect law and order in Mindanao. "

"We  are  strictly instructed that safety and protection of people is paramount. The rule of law, human rights, and international   humanitarian law will be observed by  your Armed  Forces and the primacy of the peace  process prevails,"  Bunayog said.

Under martial law, the AFP with the support of the Philippine  National Police takes the lead in the  enforcement  of peace and order, he explained.

 Based on the AFP guidelines, local  chief executives  should also continue to discharge their duties as they  usually do  as there will be  not changes in the leadership of the local  government units, he added.

Regarding  the  suspension of the privilege of habeas corpus,  he said, "it has made  clear  that we should be able to  file cases against those who will be arrested  within three  days."

He also clarified that the  conduct  of  curfews and  checkpoints are  necessary  to prevent lawless  groups  from infiltrating town centers and cities.

"Carrying of firearms is allowed only with proper documentation. Checkpoints  should  be properly marked and involved  personnel should be in their proper uniforms.  Individual s are also  advised to  present  government issued  ID  or  cedula (community tax certificate)  for proper identification," he said.

Per record of the 6th ID,  as of Monday  only  Tacurong City and  Isulan  town in Sultan  Kudarat and Cotabato City  have  imposed  curfew.

Curfew  in Tacurong and  Isulan  is  in  effect  from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. while that is  Cotabato City is enforcefd from  10:30 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

South Cotabato  Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes  earlier announced  she won't impose  curfew  saying  that curfew  "could hurt  businesses and the livelihood."

Meanwhile, North Cotabato  Gov. Emmylou  Taliño-Mendoza plans to  impose  curfew but had to wait  for guidelines on the implementation of  curfew  from  Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Martial Law  administrator.

On Monday, the Regional Peace and Order Council  12  passed  Resolution No. 6  declaring  support to the imposition of martial  law in the entire Mindanao.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611496289680/no-need-to-fear-martial-law----military-official-