Ni CHARISSA M. LUCI-ATIENZA

Suportado ng maraming mambabatas sa Mababang Kapulungan ang pagpapalawig sa 60-araw na martial law sa Mindanao.

Dumarami ang mga lider ng Kamara kahapon na payag sa ideya ni Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez na palawigin ang martial law sa katimugan ng Pilipinas hanggang sa 2022, o sa pagtatapos ng termino ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will work on extending martial law in Mindanao should the situation call for it,” sabi ni Deputy Speaker at Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu sa isang panayam.

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“President Duterte deserves the support of Congress to finally end the Marawi crisis. We believe on the Chief Executive’s determination to end the conflict and he has no tendency of abusing his authority,” aniya.

Sumuporta din sa panukala sina Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman ng House Committee on Dangerous Drugs; at Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman ng Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, sa panukalang palawigin ang martial law upang masupil ang terorismo sa Katimugan.

“I will support any extension as long as there is still imminent threat of terrorism, rebellion and invasion perpetrated by ISIS, Maute group and Abu Sayyaf Group,” ani Barbers.

Sinabi ni Evardone na susuportahan niya ang martial law extension “if the situation warrants for it.”

Nagpahayag naman si Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez, vice chairperson ng Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, na magiging makatuwiran ang Kongreso sa pagsusuporta sa determinasyon ng Pangulo na matugunan ang krisis sa Marawi.

“If we find that there is basis for the extension of martial law after our careful assessment of the situation, of course we will grant the request of the President,” aniya.

Sa kanyang panig, sinabi ni Isabela Rep. Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III, miyembro ng makapangyarihang Commission on Appointments (CA) na “who are we to refuse if the conditions warrant the prolonging of martial law to save lives.”

Nauna rito ay nanawagan si Alvarez na palawigin ang martial law hanggang sa matapos ang termino ng Pangulo upang matiyak na matapos ang gulo sa Mindanao at mapabilis infrastructure projects.