Mindanao execs urge Duterte: Extend martial law

President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he answers questions from reporters as he arrives at Manila's international airport, Philippines, Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Duterte warned Wednesday that he'll be harsh in enforcing martial law in his country's south as he abruptly left Moscow to deal with a crisis at home sparked by a Muslim extremist siege on a city, where militants burned buildings overnight and are feared to have taken hostages.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Lamitan City government called for the extension of martial law, saying the imposition of military rule addresses head on the security problems in Mindanao, particularly in Basilan.

Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said members of the Lamitan City council unanimously approved the resolution passed by Councilor Clarito San Juan during its Wednesday session seeking for the extension of martial law.

Furigay said the declaration of military rule has been favorable to Lamitan City, citing that it brought back people’s confidence to the government.

He said that residents from 45 barangays of the city also clamored for it. 

Furigay said crime rate in Lamitan dropped, with a police station registering a zero crime report in its blotter. Before martial law was declared, shooting and bombing were rampant.

He said martial law also paved the way for the military and police forces to be more cohesive in its missions in combating crimes and terrorism.

“Grande el beneficio desde ya implementata el martial law (There was big benefit since martial law was implemented,” Furigay said. “There was no adverse effect and no abuses from the police and military.”

He said residents in Basilan learned to abide by the law and also urged many members of the Abu Sayyaf group to surrender to the authorities.

Furigay said there is a need to extend martial law to address the terror threats in the region brought by the Abu Sayyaf militants and ISIS-inspired Maute group.

He said Lamitan is wary of terrorist spill-over once martial law is lifted.

“The implementation of the martial law addressed head-on the terrorism and criminal problem and the momentum is on our side so there’s a need to extend it because there is a need to end the problem of the ISIS and lawless elements,” Furigay said.

Furigay said copies of the resolution will be forwarded on Monday to the office of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, which would also be provided to President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao on May 23 following clashes between government forces and the Maute group.