MANILA – Mindanao is still a dangerous place despite the martial law declaration in the entire island for two years now, according to the country’s chief executive.
In a speech on Tuesday night at Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte said lawlessness and violence are still rampant in Mindanao, two years since the infamous Marawi siege.
“Far and wide in between the years, we had so many troubles. Lawless violence, it’s still there. Tapos ‘yung ayaw sumunod…Mindanao really seems to be a dangerous place still to go around,” Duterte said.
He added: “That is why it could not be in terms of truth na sabihin mo that everything is all right there and you can go around and will not be waylaid along the way. Delikado ang Mindanao.
Duterte has placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017 – the same day the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group began its siege on Marawi City.
The Congress in December 2018 granted Duterte’s request to extend the martial law until Dec. 31, 2019 due to presence of local terrorist and due to the upcoming midterm elections.
According to the 1987 Constitution, the President is allowed to declare martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of the habeas corpus “in case of invasion or rebellion (or) when the public safety requires it” for a period of 60 days./PN
