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By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (2nd District) yesterday said intelligence information gathered by the military that Cagayan de Oro is among the cities being targeted for a terrorist attack factored in his decision to vote for the extension of martial law until Dec. 31.

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Rodriguez said the military told legislators that the Isis-inspired Maute Group has allegedly planned to launch attacks here and the cities of Iligan and Zamboanga, and the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur.

He said he feared a spillover of violence from strife-torn Marawi City to other areas in Mindanao, including the city, and so he voted to extend martial law in the hope that military rule would thwart off alleged plans for bomb attacks.

Rodriguez said he was convinced that the  extension of martial law would also allow President Duterte to effectively go after the Bangsamoro  Islamic  Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf, and the New People’s Army, among others.

He pointed out that Cagayan de Oro is easily accessible to the Maute Group because it shares boundaries with Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur.

“The chance of any  terrorist group to enter our  city is very great kay ang  atong border sa   Tignapoloan, du-ol ra kaayo sa Lanao Sur ug usa kini sa atong gibantayan   karon,” he said.

Rodriguez is not the only congressman from this part of the country who voted in favor of the martial law extension. His counterpart in the city’s 1st District. Rep. Rolando Uy, and Misamis Oriental Reps. Pedro Unabia (1st District) and Juliette Uy (2nd  District) voted “yes.”

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