AFP lauds SC ruling on Martial Law in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 4): AFP lauds SC ruling on Martial Law in Mindanao

The entire military is thankful for the Supreme Court (SC)'s decision which ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration to place the entire Mindanao region under Martial Law in wake of the Marawi City crisis.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is very glad and expresses its appreciation to the SC for the favorable ruling which is supportive of Martial Law in Mindanao. The AFP takes this as a vote of confidence that we are doing what is right and what is necessary for the restoration of the rule of law, peace and order in the whole island," said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año on Tuesday.

Voting 11-3-1, the SC upheld the President's decision, which was supposedly based on the need to quell a rebellion in Marawi City.

Martial Law in Mindanao was declared by Duterte, nighttime of May 23, the very day the Maute Group attacked Marawi City.

"We remain committed to our mandate to protect our people and the integrity and sovereignty of our country," he said.

And while admitting that the mission is not yet over, the AFP chief assured the public that the entire military is focused and determined to carry on the fight till peace and order in Mindanao is fully restored and the liberation of Marawi from terrorists is achieved at the soonest time possible.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for his part, said he is happy with the SC decision regarding Martial Law in Mindanao.

With this ruling, he said they can take the necessary steps to do their job.

"Personally, I'm happy that the Supreme Court find... it has legal basis so that we can continue our job properly until the end of martial law which is up to July 23, 2017," Lorenzana said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/998836