The security sectors of Davao City are fully supportive of the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
Both houses of Congress approved on Wednesday the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao until the end of 2019.
In the House of Representatives, a total of 223 members voted were in favor of extension while 23 voted no. There was no abstention. In the Senate, 12 senators voted to extend martial law, five voted no, while one abstained.
On Thursday, Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, director of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), told Edge Davao that he is full support of the extension.
“Personally, I fully support its implementation in Davao City considering the additional security it provides to the people related with the implementations of the enhanced security operations,” Tagum said.
According Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, military forces are appreciative of the trust given them in granting the request of extending the period of Martial Law implementation.
“Indeed Congress is mindful of the desire of the President and most of the Filipino people to quell the rebellion here in Mindanao. Rest assured that we will implement it in accordance to the principles adopted when it was implemented first on May 2017 and that peace and economic gains will be sustained,” he said.
Col. Nolasco Mempin, Task Force Davao commander, said that the uniformed services should finish what they have started and the extension of martial law will help them attain the set goal.
“We as military in Mindanao are glad that Martial Law is again extended. The military and other uniformed services should finish what they have started. Terrorism has to be defeated by utilizing all available resources including civilian populace’s support. The military will adhere to human rights, rule of law and international humanitarian law,” Mempin said.
According to BGen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, the AFP has the enormous responsibility to put an end to the rebellion that persists in Mindanao and prevent lawless violence by local terrorist groups from spreading in other parts of the country.
“Apart from that reason, the extension seeks not only to sustain the economic gains owing to the peace and security in Mindanao, it also responds positively to the clamor of local government executives to extend Martial Law implementation in the island because of law and order it provides to their constituents,” Arevalo said.
On May 23 2017, the martial law was implemented in Mindanao to address the problem brought about the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City. The clash between the alleged ISIS inspired terrorist group and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lasted for five months.
