The AFP will most certainly recommend another martial law extension but, as was pointed out in last week's martial law update, it will not be based on any legal and constitutional reasons such as to stop an invasion, rebellion, or prevent or quell lawless violence. The official recommendation has not come down as of yet but here is the latest statement from the AFP about how martial law is working and why it should be extended yet again.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1054365/afp-cites-economic-tourism-gains-in-mindanao-due-to-martial-law |
“Martial law has led to increased tourist and economic activity in Mindanao, especially in areas previously thought of as inaccessible to visitors from Luzon and Visayas,” he told reporters in his prepared speech ahead of a press conference.
Because of the improved security, the AFP Chie of Staff said it was “no longer unusual” to find tourists in conflict areas like Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
“The development created more jobs and empowered residents to become active players in the peace and security of their communities,” he said.
The AFP chief also expressed hope that terrorists will be irrelevant by next year after their supposed successes in 2018.
“A total of 5,685 loose firearms were surrendered in Mindanao. Movements of known terrorist groups such as the New People’s Army, Maute Group, and the ASG have also been constricted,” Galvez noted.
“In Eastern Mindanao alone, 11,333 CPP-NPA members and supporters have been given an opportunity to experience a more peaceful and productive way of life. They are joined by over 300 members of local terrorist groups, 572 of which are ASG, who chose to abandon their illegal activities in exchange for reformation and reintegration,” Galvez also said.
Martial law as an economic tool and as a way to attract more tourists. Who would have thought checkpoints and a heavy military presence would make people want to visit Mindanao. How's this for a new DOT ad campaign? Imagine an older couple having the following conversation over dinner:
"Honey where will we go on vacation this year?"
"I've always wanted to visit Mindanao, dear."
"Oh but it's so violent."
"Not any more. Martial law has cleaned up the violence and now the island is safe. We can visit with no problems."
"Really?"
"Why yes. You know I have always wanted to visit the beautiful island of Sulu. Why don't we check it out?"
"But honey Sulu is the home of the Abu-Sayyaf terrorist group."
"Don't worry dear. With martial law in place it's a guarantee we won't be kidnapped and ultimately beheaded when no one pays our ransom."
That imaginary conversation is just as ridiculous as the notion that martial law has somehow led to an increase in tourism. Tourism from who? Filipinos? Foreigners? NGO's who are there to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the Marawi siege but are mistaken for tourists? Are there real numbers, facts and figures they can show us or are they making stuff up? Did they see a few posts on Facebook from people who visited Mindanao for the first time and said martial law made it safe?"Great let's go! Mabuhay Philippines!"
What exactly is the source of their data? Surely it's not foreigners visiting Mindanao. Foreigners are advised by their own countries to stay away from Mindanao.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian, due to the threat of terrorism.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines
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| https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south-east/Pages/philippines.aspx |
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| https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/philippines-travel-advisory.html |
"Crime, terrorism, and civil unrest." Sounds real safe.
Even Duterte seemingly contradicted this assessment about tourism from the AFP.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1052779/extremists-target-westerners |
“These extremists… Be on your guard because there are many whites here. They are looking for them. They kidnap them. They really hate Westerners,” he said.
If these "extremists," and its really Abu Sayyaf who does all the kidnapping, hate Westerners and are getting revenge for colonisation then they must really hate Filipinos as well and are getting revenge for their collaboration with the evil Westerners.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1773978/Zamboanga/Local-News/Abu-Sayyaf-bandits-free-10-year-old-boy |
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1774489/Zamboanga/Local-News/Abu-Sayyaf-bandits-free-female-victim |
Helen Roda, wife of Rufo, was freed by the group of ASG sub-leaders Mujer Yadah and Injam Yadah around 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Anuling village, Patikul, Sulu following alleged payment of P1 million ransom.
The Sulu Provincial Police Office said the ransom was reportedly delivered by two unidentified negotiators who at the same time accompanied Helen to Zamboanga City aboard a commercial ferry.
Helen and her husband were seized on August 31 by five Abu Sayyaf bandits following a firefight in coastal village of Piacan, Sirawai town, Zamboanga del Norte.
Six people, including a militiaman, were killed while a child was wounded in the clash that broke out when the militiamen responded to the reported arrival of five gunmen clad in camouflage uniforms.
Rufo, a militiaman, was freed on October 18 following alleged payment of P1.2 million ransom.
The release of Helen has brought down to six the number of hostages who are still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
The remaining hostages included two foreigners--one Dutch and one Vietnamese--and four Filipinos.
FOUR FILIPINOS vs two foreigners only one of whom is a Westerner. Will anyone pay their ransoms? The AFP has a no ransom pay policy so why are private citizens being allowed to pay ransoms? This money will only ensure Abu Sayyf remains operational well past the DND's second quarter deadline for eradicating terrorism next year.
It's all messed up in Mindanao and there is no doubt the AFP and DND have no idea what they are doing. Remember the AFP STOPPED training for urban warfare because they weren't using that skill and as a result they were unprepared for the Marawi siege.
"It's a skill we used to have but we lost along the way because we didn't use it. We keep training our people in what we call the military operations in urban terrain, MOUT. But we seldom use it, we never use it, so we stopped teaching our people at the Marawi camp. So now we have to reacquire that skill plus the necessary equipment that goes with it.
Earlier this year the Supreme Court upheld the year-long extension of martial law which gave rise to the fear that there could be perpetual martial law via extensions. But the Palace, even before that ruling and as the issue was being raised, scoffed at the idea assuring the public it would never happen as it would be unconstitutional.
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/192437-martial-law-perpetuity-never-happen-harry-roque |
“Martial law in perpetuity is a scenario that neither the President, Congress or the Supreme Court will allow as it is patently unconstitutional,” Roque said in a statement.
He was reacting to the petition filed by opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives, asking the Supreme Court to stop the one-year martial law extension approved by Congress. From an original 60 days, government has now put Mindanao under martial law until the end of 2018.
“On the petitioners’ allegations that martial law may lead to “extension in perpetuity,” these are mere surmises and conjectures and not supported by law and the Constitution,” Roque said.
Well the Supreme Court ruled that martial law can indeed be extended as needed at the President's discretion which means as long as the AFP recommends and the President asks Congress extensions will happen again and again and again. And there is nothing anyone can do about it. Perpetual martial law via extensions is 100% constitutional.
But there is nothing in the law and Constitution that supports martial law for economic reasons. NOTHING!
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