By AARON RECUENCO
The police and the military leaderships are inclined to recommending to President Duterte the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he had discussed the matter with his military counterpart, General Eduardo Año, on Monday and both of them are inclined to support the extension if the Marawi City problem persists in the coming days.
“We are inclined to recommend to the President that if possible, since the situation has not yet stabilized, it would be better that it would be extended for the rehabilitation of Marawi City,” said Dela Rosa.
“It would be difficult to go on with the rehabilitation with the firefight still on-going. To make sure that it is safe to conduct rehabilitation, martial law should be extended to ensure the positive outcome of the reconstruction, rehabilitation of Marawi,” he added.
Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao on May 23 after the Maute gunmen tried to lay siege on Marawi City following the government’s botched attempt to arrest terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Hapilon, reportedly the designated leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Southeast Asia, was monitored to be hiding in Marawi City and being coddled by the Maute Group before the May 23 attack.
The implementation of martial law is only for 60 days unless extended by the Congress.
And if the recommendation of Dela Rosa and Año would be followed, martial law would be extended for 60 days.
