Military urges 1-year martial law extension

From Malaya Business Insight (Dec 8): Military urges 1-year martial law extension

THE Armed Forces has recommended to President Duterte a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, which is due to end on December 31, so ground units will continue to have teeth in going after terrorists.

A military source said the recommendation was submitted to the President on Monday and was based on the inputs of ground commanders.

Duterte has been saying his decision would depend on the recommendation of security officials.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez asked the President to decide soon on whether he would ask Congress to extend his martial law proclamation, saying lawmakers have only a week left before they go on Christmas break.

He said it would be difficult to call for one with senators during the holidays “because all lawmakers are programmed to go on vacation.”

 “You have to understand, it’s Christmas. It’s not just any other break that we can easily call legislators (to attend a special session). This time, it’s Christmas. So it’ll really be difficult,” he said.

Alvarez, a representative of the first district of Davao del Norte, reiterated his position of placing the whole of Mindanao under martial law until the end of Duterte’s term in 2022 “so we (can) feel secure and safe.”

The House of Representatives and the Senate, in a joint session in July, voted to grant Duterte’s request to extend martial law which he proclaimed on May 23, the day the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City. Duterte cited continuing terrorist threat in asking for the extension.

Government forces battled the Maute for five months. Clearing operations in Marawi continue despite the termination of combat activities.

The source said most of the ground commanders said “they need martial law at this time.”

“They need the mechanism, especially the suspension of the writ (of habeas corpus). That is the important component,” the source said on the reasons given by the military in calling for another extension.

The source said government troops can  easily arrest suspected terrorists if they are sighted if there is martial law. “Without martial law, you cannot do that,” the source said adding that without martial law, security forces have to apply for arrest or search warrants.

Asked if the military is confident the President will approve its recommendation, the source said: “I think he (Duterte) will defer to what was recommended by the AFP. The coverage is Mindanao, that’s definite.”

The source noted ISIS-inspired groups have intensified recruitment after the conclusion of the Marawi conflict on October 23.

The fighting left 974 Maute members, 165 soldiers and policemen, and 47 civilians.

“Recruitment has continued during the lull after Marawi. There are recruitment efforts in the Lake Lanao area and even here in Manila,” the source said. The military earlier said the terrorists are recruiting relatives of slain Maute members.

The source also said the military is monitoring possible tactical alliance between the IS-inspired groups and the communist New People’s Army which Duterte classified as a terrorist organization this week.

“It’s still unverified but that is possible. It’s (alliance) logical because of the development. The NPA is looking for an ally. I think it’s going to be a marriage of convenience,” the official also said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/military-urges-1-year-martial-law-extension