MANILA – A congressman urged President Rodrigo Duterte to further extend the martial law in Mindanao up until June 30 next year, citing military intelligence information on Islamic State “bomb experts” in the southern major island.
Rep. Frederick Siao of Iligan City filed House Resolution 2302, which sought the extension of the military rule that was set to expire by the end of the year.
Possible terrorist attacks and the need to secure the midterm elections in May next year necessitate the extension of martial law, according to Siao.
“There are initial reports from the intelligence services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police of the presence of ISIS bomb experts positions in some areas of Mindanao plotting to generate widespread panic and terror among the populace,” read part of the resolution that used the other name of the international terrorist organization.
“It is urgently imperative that government authority must ensure peace, orderly and honest May 2019 elections in Mindanao, including and especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and adjacent regions, to secure the integrity of the ballots and safety of voters and elections personnel and to ensure that the duly elected officials are installed,” the resolution added.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 last year when the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group laid siege on Marawi City.
Congress extended the martial law twice, the last extension set to expire by the end 2018, citing the still-prevalent terror threat in the entire region.
Armed Forces chief Carlito Galvez Jr. previously said it would be “practical” to further extend the martial law, given the upcoming political exercises in Mindanao.
Before the midterm elections in May, the Bangsamoro Organic Law – which created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region – will be put to a plebiscite in January./PN
