Robredo to AFP: Kailangang ipaliwanag niyo, kung bakit kailangang palawigin ang Martial Law sa mindanao

Vice President Leni Robredo raised this question as she asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to explain its recommendation to extend martial law in Mindanao.

“Kailangang maging malinaw ang basehan bago pa man pag-debatehan. Mahirap din makipag-debate na hindi natin sa kanila hinihingi kung bakit ba kailangang palawigin,” she said.

(The basis has to be clear before this will be debated. It is difficult to debate if we don’t ask them the reasons why martial law needs to be extended.)

Robredo was responding to a question during her Sunday radio program about her stand to the proposed extension of martial law given that it is supposed to end by yearend.

The AFP is looking at recommending martial law extension to President Rodrigo Duterte to sustain “gains” in the region, among which is the improvement in law and order.

Mindanao is currently under the military rule until December 31, 2018 after Duterte asked Congress for two extensions to fully neutralize the local terrorists who mounted a siege in Marawi City in May last year.

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The Chief Executive has sought recommendations from both the military and police before he decides again to extend martial law. If the extension happens, it will be the third time it is extended.

Unlike Duterte, Robredo has been against to the idea of martial law extension.

The Vice President cited she understands the AFP is in possession of confidential information that can’t be disclosed to the public, but she demanded transparency in the martial law extension in Mindanao.

“We know the AFP has a lot of information that is not available to us. But I think if it is requesting for an extension, it needs to be clear,” Robredo, a lawyer, said in Filipino.

“Kapag nilinaw iyong dahilan, kailangan iyong track ng usapan: iyong extension ba ng Martial Law iyong makakasagot? Kasi kung ang sagot, hindi naman niya masasagot, so ano ang dahilan kung bakit kailangang i-extend?” she added.

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(If it clarifies the reason, the track of the discussion: Is martial law extension the answer? Because if the answer is no, so what’s the reason for extension.)

source: manila bulletin