Peace advocates, officials laud decision not to extend martial law

By CONG B. CORRALES
Associate Editor
NITZ ARANCON
and JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
Correspondents

PEACE advocates, human rights defenders, and officials here hailed Malacanang’s pronouncement that the martial law in Mindanao would no longer be extended by President Duterte.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Felixberto Calang welcomed the announcement of the Palace, and called it “good news.”

“This is a glitter of hope for the people who bear the brunt of military suppression, evacuation, and human rights violations. The martial rule is too long already that only caused people’s misery,” he said.

In a statement yesterday, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo announced that the decision of President Duterte shows how he responds to the clamor on the ground.

“The Commander-in-Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” Panelo’s statement reads in part.

Panelo said the President is confident in the capability of the country’s security forces to maintain peace and security in Mindanao without extending martial law.

Calang said the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao would also build confidence on the call of the President to resume the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

“Let us hope that war hawks won’t spoil this announcement with any condition,” Calang said.

Calang’s Roman Catholic counterpart, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, earlier called for the lifting of the martial law declaration, pointing out that the government should focus on building good relations and not employ a military solution.

Balay Mindanaw head Charlito Manlupig said the announcement is a victory to the people who have clamored for peace.

“This is a victory of the enlightened elements of the DILG, DND, PNP, and AFP who have always made clear their opposition to martial law. Indeed, we cannot build and keep the peace by force,” Manlupig said.

For her part, lawyer Czarina Golda Musni, secretary-general of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao, said they welcome the announcement albeit with guarded hope.

“We welcome the non-extension of the martial law in Mindanao as the end for it has ceased to exist from the time the Marawi Siege was announced to have been over. But this should not leave us relaxed or unguarded, as there have been moves lately to amend the Human Security Act to give it a more vicious attack against the civilian population,” Musni said.

Musni said the announcement of the non-extension of martial law is also a relief to the Lumad and rural communities across the island that have borne the brunt of martial “which has shifted its focus to counter-insurgency.”

Mayor Oscar Moreno, for his part, said: “I have always maintained that the declaration of martial law was meant as a preemptive move on the part of the government. It was meant to clearly convey the signal to those who would resort to extremism that the government would not hesitate to immediately use the military to surpass their extremist agenda.”

Moreno said Duterte’s decision not to extend martial law reflects his administration’s confidence in the military’s preparedness as far as insurgency is concerned.

He added: “The administration’s whole-of-nation approach under EO 70 is well in place and is achieving substantial gain in addressing the root cause of the insurgency.”

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District said of the Malacañang announcement: “I strongly support President Duterte’s decision not to seek the extension of martial law in Mindanao. Martial law discourages investments by both foreign and domestic investors in Mindanao preventing more employment of our people in Mindanao and stunting the economic growth in Mindanao. On the security side, the DND, AFP, and PNP had evaluated the peace and order situation in Mindanao, and they see no more need for martial law. Our courts are open and functioning to issue warrants of arrest and search warrant against those involved in terrorism and rebellion.”

Rodriguez said the non-extension of martial would give normalcy and stability in Mindanao and, “We thank President Duterte for this wise decision.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Lanao del Sur-based Moro Consensus Group, Drieza Lininding, called the Duterte administration’s decision “long overdue but a welcome development.”

Lininding’s group has repeatedly called for the lifting of martial law, saying it “is not necessary for the fight against extremist groups.”

Lininding called on the national government, local governments, and various peace and order councils to work together in strengthening security without resorting to military rule.

“We hope that non-extension comes with the lifting of curfews imposed in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur to ensure freedom of movement,” he said.

Lininding said Marawi could not recover under martial law because living in the city is like being in a camp where people are dictated.