Digos mayor supports martial law extension in Mindanao

By Eldie S. Aguirre
Digos City Bureau Chief

DIGOS City — “Only those who are doing foolishness and acts contrary to existing laws are afraid of martial law.”

Thus said Digos City Mayor Joseph Peñas yesterday when asked if he is in favor of the proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao banking on the request of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The fact that the military has endorsed it to the President, they could have proof that there is a dire need for martial law extension; otherwise, they could not vouch for it without any legal basis,” Peñas said.

He said martial law in this part of the country has been successful in its target of preventing the escalation of the war in Marawi City where more than a thousand people have died during the fierce battle that lasted for five months.

“If the legislative department will rally behind the proposed extension, we have to support it for we have nothing to fear if we just obey the laws. The military and the police has proven they could still respect our human rights and live a normal life under martial law,” Peñas said.

The mayor said he did not received any official complaint from his constituents about human rights abuses committed by the police or the military.

“I could vouch that the military have played a big role in preserving law and order in my area of responsibility since day one of the martial law proclamation,” he said.