Incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte eyes Martial Law
Martial Law becomes an option for the incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the provinces which are reported to be ground of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) including provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.
During the meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the president-elect talked to his appointed officials on Wednesday night. Duterte was said to view the video containing how the Abu Sayyaf decapitate the Canadian.
The meeting lasted for five hours and the incoming chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visayas find it possible, saying he is open for the proposal of declaring martial law in the entire province of Sulu. He said it would be the possible solution to finally stamp out the long time problem with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
Visaya expressed that, “That is an option. We can study the declaration of martial law in Jolo (Sulu) and Basilan because as we can see, there is a failure of governance”. Duterte vowed to crush the group as well as illegal drug syndicates.
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that he has no objection to the intended plan under the administration of Duterte. Given that it is to control the rebel groups.
On the other hand, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), expressed its view on the plan. He said it will make more harm than good. He said it could trigger human rights violation similar to the reign of president Marcos.