Police regional director C/Supt. Manuel Gaerlan on Wednesday expressed satisfaction and elation over the 65-day implementation of martial law, saying it proved to be for the masses.
“Para sa masa,” told the AFP-PNP press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel when asked how he would describe the implementation of martial law in the region.
“Necessary,” conceded Brig. Gen.Gilbert Gapay, the deputy implementer of Martial law and as spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command even as he stressed how peaceful and stable the region has been in the 65 days of ML implementation.
“We were able to prevent a spill-over of the Marawi conflict, to effectively shield the region from other threats and to observe the rule of law and human rights,” he said.
10th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Ryan Batchar said Martial Law in the region was lawful and it also proved fruitful as the army division was able to neutralize 241 elements of the outlawed New People’s Army.
“We were also able to reduce the influence of the NPAs and captured a lot of their firearms,” he said.
The three officers also expressed elation at the high trust rating of 89% accorded the armed forces of the Philippines.
“This awakening of public support for the armed forces is unprecedented,” said B/Gen. Gapay. “We believe that with the army transformation roadmap, this trend will be irreversible.”
“I was a young lieutenant during the last years of Martial Law under Marcos and there was negative perception about us,” said C/Supt. Gaerlan. “We are committed to fully changing that image.”
Capt. Bachar said there is no stopping the armed forces from becoming a “source of national pride.”
The three officers said they were supporting President Duterte in his decision to scuttle peace talks with the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines.
“The CPP has no control over the NPAs for as we talk, they are stabbing us in the back,” said B/Gen. Gapay, adding the talks were an exercise in futility.
C/Supt. Gaerlan Duterte’s decision stemmed from his frustration with the CPP. “He offered so much, released some of their leaders, gave concessions but in the meantime the NPAs were into recruitment and extortion.”
Gaerlan added there will be no let-up in the war on drugs even as he called on people in the communities to watch their neighbours as a means to helping curb drugs.
Gapay said the Easter Mindanao Command will be relentless in implementing martial law towards the end of the year as well as in the war against insurgency.
He said the EMC has also been innovative in ensuring maritime border security to prevent foreign terrorists from slipping into its jurisdiction.
