LAOAG CITY — A retired colonel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said extending martial rule in Mindanao for the next five months is good for the country.
“Let us continue to give the President (Duterte) a chance. We need peace and security to develop our country. Martial law is good as long as it is properly handled,” said retired Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, on Sunday.
Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives met jointly on Saturday, voting in favor of the martial law extension in Mindanao until December 31.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposed a 60-day martial rule in Mindanao following terrorist attacks by the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group.
Unlike in previous martial law declaration during the Marcos era, Nolasco said Filipinos are more sensitive and braver now. “Hindi na katulad ng dati na madaling matakot ang tao. Alam natin ang rason kung bakit kailangan natin ang martial law. We need to stop all these (terrorist attacks) at hindi natin alam kung saan at kailan sila aatake. Very unpredictable sila,” Nolasco said.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said earlier the extension of martial law in Mindanao would enable soldiers and policemen to fully restrict movements of terrorists by imposing curfews and arresting militants.
The Duterte administration needs martial law powers to rebuild war-torn Marawi city and ensure that the conflict does not spread elsewhere. Leilanie Adriano/PNA-northboundasia.com
