MANILA – It is not yet time for President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the martial law in Mindanao, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AFP chief of staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday said that martial law in Mindanao must remain in place as there are still loose firearms and unarrested suspected terrorists.
“Lawless elements and a significant number of loose firearms still threaten the peace and development of Mindanao,” Galvez said. “So I believe that the martial law declaration should still be in place.”
Based on the records of AFP, only 6,000 – or 20 percent – of the estimated 30,000 illegally-owned guns have been surrendered. Some 24,000 loose firearms are still unaccounted for.
Galvez also belied reports that human rights violations in Mindanao has escalated since the declaration of martial law, contrary to claims of some indigenous groups and tribal leaders from the area.
“The implementation of martial law in Mindanao has been effective and accepted well by the people contrary to the claims that cases of human rights violations have increased,” Galvez said.
He also challenged the accusers to “show evidence for human rights violations in Mindanao to support their claim.”
“If they want the can file a case before the court for a proper forum,” Galvez said.
Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 following the clash of the government troops with the Maute group that killed a number of government forces in Marawi City.
It was previously extended until the end of 2017 but was again stretched until Dec. 31, 2018 due to continued terror threats./PN
