AFP in Davao vows safeguards vs abuses in extended martial law

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): AFP in Davao vows safeguards vs abuses in extended martial law

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) guarantees that safeguards and other mechanisms are in place against possible abuses of the military under the area of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

This was the assurance made by Eastmincom Deputy Commander and spokesperson of the command on martial law here, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay following the approval of the extension of the martial period in Mindanao.

"The same safeguards prescribed by the Constitution and the other safeguards and mechanisms that were emplaced and established during the 60-day martial law," Gapay said.

Gapay welcomed the approval of the extension of the martial period in Mindanao until the end of the year, saying: "the legislators understand the necessity of extending it."

Gapay vowed the AFP, which is the implementer of martial law, will continue to do its task in accordance with the existing laws and other guidelines that will be given to them.

Gapay earlier reported that as of June 30, Eastmincom under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, has continuously prevented the spillover or spread of the Marawi crisis in Eastmincom’s area and effectively shielded Eastern Mindanao from terrorist attacks and deterred any diversionary, retaliatory or sympathetic attacks by local terrorist groups.

During the 60-day martial law period, Eastmincom reported that Eastern Mindanao remains generally peaceful, safe, and secure due to tightened security measures being implemented by the Command.

As of June 30, a total of 17,494 checkpoint operations were already conducted, both fixed and mobile checkpoints. They conducted 9,742 security and visibility patrols focusing on vital installations, critical infrastructures, places of convergence such as malls and churches, Gapay reported.

They have also 31 violators in these checkpoints; confiscated 15 firearms and even confiscated 11 illegal drugs. Curfews were also being implemented in 129 cities and municipalities all over Eastern Mindanao.

Eastmincom was able to activate martial law special action groups to run after and apprehend, track, apprehend those terrorists and supporters included in the arrest order issued by the martial law administrator. Also, 5,900 barangay intelligence nets were established to help track terrorists.

In a special joint session on Saturday, the Philippine Congress voted (261-18) to extend the period of martial law until the year-end overwhelmingly approving the request of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles and PBA Party-list Representative Jericho Nograles both supported the extension.

Karlo Nograles, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations emphasized that: “patriotism and duty to the country dominated as the special joint session of Congress voted to extend President Rody Duterte's proclamation of martial law in Mindanao."

He said both chambers of Congress led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez deserve the people's trust and confidence for upholding the integrity of the nation's constitutional and democratic processes and territory.

"Now let us allow our security forces to do their job of finally crushing the terrorist rebels in Marawi and defeat all other terrorist groups in Mindanao. I also hope and pray that Marawi and Mindanao will be cleared of all terrorist and rebel threats so we can start rebuilding Marawi and Mindanao can rise again," he said.

On the other hand, Jericho Nograles said extending the President’s proclamation of martial law only affirmed the national consensus of support to his unflinching war against terrorism and other serious crimes.

"The leadership and the members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as representatives of the people, voiced their respective positions in the open debate, demonstrating an unwavering defense of the nation's territorial integrity and its constitutional and democratic institutions. For this act of patriotism, they deserve our people's adulation! Now let's buckle down to work and start rehabilitating Marawi," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002365