PNP defends ML implementation in Mindanao amid Cotabato bomb attack
Published Jan 1, 2019 05:39 pm
By Aaron Recuenco
Security forces could not guard every inch of Mindanao from terrorist groups, a police official said yesterday following a bomb attack in Cotabato City on Tuesday despite the martial law implementation in the southern part of the country for more than a year now.
Philippine National Police Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr.
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN) Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), also defended the martial law implementation, saying there could have been more attacks if it is not existing in the entire Mindanao. “There could have been more attacks from local terror groups if martial law was not imposed in Mindanao,” said Durana. The entire Mindanao has been under martial law since the Marawi City siege in May 2017. Recently, Congress has approved the extension of martial law for one year, or until December 31, 2019, citing the continuing rebellion in Mindanao. Critics and members of the opposition have been rejecting the extension of martial law, Mindanao security could still be ensured like in the past even without it. Netizens have also been raising questions as to why the bombing in front of a mall in Cotabato City that left two dead and more than 30 injured still happened when Mindanao was supposed to be under tight watch due to martial law. But Durana said more than the presence of soldiers, public cooperation and vigilance are still essential to thwart any terror attack, especially form ISIS-inspired local groups. “The security forces cannot guard every inch of Mindanao. That's why the people's cooperation and vigilance not just security sector's vigilance is equally if not much more important in keeping our communities safe and secure,” said Durana. He stressed that the same terror problems are still being experienced by much-more developed countries. “But one way or the other one or two incidents may fall on some cracks. This is true not only in the Philippines but also in much more developed countries like in Europe that are likewise facing the same global problem of terrorism,” said Durana. He however said that the security situation on Mindanao has been improved because of the martial law. The same reason was also raised by proponents of martial law when they sought for martial law extension. Security officials would also argue that Mindanao people have been supportive of the martial law. “Safety and security wise, the people of Mindanao are in a much better shape now due to the signed peace agreements with MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and recently the MILF that brought, despite some challenges, a much more stable peace and security and much more positive economic outlook in Mindanao than at any other times in its history,” said Durana.
Philippine National Police Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr.(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN) Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), also defended the martial law implementation, saying there could have been more attacks if it is not existing in the entire Mindanao. “There could have been more attacks from local terror groups if martial law was not imposed in Mindanao,” said Durana. The entire Mindanao has been under martial law since the Marawi City siege in May 2017. Recently, Congress has approved the extension of martial law for one year, or until December 31, 2019, citing the continuing rebellion in Mindanao. Critics and members of the opposition have been rejecting the extension of martial law, Mindanao security could still be ensured like in the past even without it. Netizens have also been raising questions as to why the bombing in front of a mall in Cotabato City that left two dead and more than 30 injured still happened when Mindanao was supposed to be under tight watch due to martial law. But Durana said more than the presence of soldiers, public cooperation and vigilance are still essential to thwart any terror attack, especially form ISIS-inspired local groups. “The security forces cannot guard every inch of Mindanao. That's why the people's cooperation and vigilance not just security sector's vigilance is equally if not much more important in keeping our communities safe and secure,” said Durana. He stressed that the same terror problems are still being experienced by much-more developed countries. “But one way or the other one or two incidents may fall on some cracks. This is true not only in the Philippines but also in much more developed countries like in Europe that are likewise facing the same global problem of terrorism,” said Durana. He however said that the security situation on Mindanao has been improved because of the martial law. The same reason was also raised by proponents of martial law when they sought for martial law extension. Security officials would also argue that Mindanao people have been supportive of the martial law. “Safety and security wise, the people of Mindanao are in a much better shape now due to the signed peace agreements with MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and recently the MILF that brought, despite some challenges, a much more stable peace and security and much more positive economic outlook in Mindanao than at any other times in its history,” said Durana.