The AFP official said they have yet to finalize assessments of other areas but initially, martial law is viewed as necessary only in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The military has proposed that martial law be extended under a different nature in which local governments in Mindanao will decide on its need based on their particular situations.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the military will propose extending military rule, which ends in December, to certain areas in the region.

Sobejana yesterday said there are cities and municipalities in Mindanao that do not need increased military presence, such as Davao City, Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong City and Cagayan de Oro City.

However, the AFP official said they have yet to finalize assessments of other areas but initially, martial law is viewed as necessary only in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We might limit (martial law) to BARMM, but everything is dependent on our assessment of our effort, but we will see if we will do selective (type of martial law),” he said.

“I don’t recommend the whole area of Mindanao. Only in the areas that we see that there are still problems in terms of security, in terms of delivery of services. Because it is part of our mandate with the implementation of the declaration of martial law,” the AFP official added.

By December, the AFP is expected to submit a security assessment from all the units and command areas that will be the basis of a solid recommendation, Sobejana said.

According to the Mindanao military head, the extension of martial law in BARMM is considered as there were still security threats from Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and some remnants of the Maute Group.

Sobejana also said that they will continue to monitor their civilian counterparts in terms of delivering basic services for the constituents of BARMM.

Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter Mayor Sara Duterte sought the exclusion of Davao City from martial law coverage noting its effect on investments and businesses.

Last 6 August, the City Council passed a resolution requesting Mr. Duterte to lift martial law in the city.

In a previous interview with Mayor Duterte, she explained that under the principle of martial law, investors and foreign individuals consider military takeover as suspension of civilian functions.

“This will include suspension of the mayor’s authority, the takeover of Davao City Hall and suspension of functions of the courts,” she noted.

During Mayor Duterte’s dialogue with ambassadors and officials from other countries, the foreign delegates also asked for martial law’s suspension.

To recall, Mindanao was placed under the military ruling when Marawi siege occurred in 2017. Martial law was supposed to take place for only 60 days, but it was extended by Congress thrice and will take effect until December 2019.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he recommended the extension of martial law in Mindanao as there were still threats from other terrorist forces.

Esperon added he is open to lifting military rule in some parts of Mindanao where the security measures had improved.