Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) — Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo has advised against selectively lifting martial law in Mindanao.
This was after the Davao City Council passed a resolution to ask President Rodrigo Duterte, their longest serving mayor, to lift martial law in that city.
“Ang problema kasi doon, when you declare martial law, kailangan yung buong lugar. If you’re trying to suppress violence or rebellion, baka lumipat lang sa kabila,” Panelo said in a press briefing Thursday.
[Translation: The problem there is if you declare martial law, it has to cover the whole area. If you try to suppress violence or rebellion, there’s a chance that these people will just move to another area not covered by martial law.]
READ: Councilors ask Duterte to lift martial law in Davao City
Panelo added that the Executive Department has yet to receive a copy of the resolution. He has also yet to ask Duterte for his position on the matter.
Malacaang will study the resolution upon their receipt, Panelo said.
The recommendation to lift martial law in Davao city came from the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Police Regional Office 11.
Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, also pushed for the resolution.
Martial law has been in place in Mindanao since May 23, 2017 following the attack on Marawi city. It will continue until December this year.
