The Commander-in-Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion.

Pearly whites out Extracting a smile is a specialty of President Rodrigo Duterte. Labor attachés assigned to different nations yield their teeth in a meeting with the Chief Executive at Malacañang Palace. MALACAñANG PHOTO

Martial law in Mindanao ends on 31 December and will not be extended, thus President Rodrigo Duterte decided, according to Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Panelo said the President heeded the military ground commanders and security officials’ recommendation not to the martial law, following the drop in crime incidents.

“The Office of the President wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte will not extend martial law in Mindanao upon its expiration on 31 December 2019,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

“The Commander-in-Chief made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” he added.

The siege laid by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group on 23 May 2017 prompted Duterte to place the whole of Mindanao under martial law.

Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides that a President can declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus for a period not exceeding 60 days, in case of invasion or rebellion.

The Constitution likewise states that such proclamation of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can either be revoked or extended for a period determined by Congress through joint voting.

Congress extended the initial 60-day martial rule thrice upon the President’s recommendation to help state forces quell the insurgency in Mindanao.

Martial law in the southern part of the country will expire on 31 December this year.

Panelo said the President was optimistic that the state forces are on top of the situation to maintain peace and order in Mindanao, even without the implementation of martial law.

He likewise assured Mindanao residents that any incipient major threat in the besieged region “would be nipped in the bud.”

“Contrary to the suppositions of the vocal minority on the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao, this decision of the President shows how he responds to the situation on the ground,” he said.

“The Palace is confident on the capability of our security forces in maintaining the peace and security of Mindanao without extending martial law,” Panelo added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. earlier expressed opposition to any proposal to extend the military rule in Mindanao.

On 25 October, Esperon stressed that there was no need to further extend martial law in Mindanao if the Congress is able to pass a measure that amends Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.

RA 9372, which took effect on 6 March, 2007, seeks to provide law enforcement and judicial authorities with the legal tools to confront terror threats in the country.

In an address in Malacañang last Monday, Mr. Duterte indicated satisfaction with the performance of the military and the police under his administration.

The President made the remark as he administered the oath Monday night of newly-appointed high ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Chief Executive swore in more than 90 newly-promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP and star rank officers of the PNP at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang.

In his speech, the President said that he is quite satisfied with the performance of the military and the police. He, however, stressed that the PNP need to institute more reforms to correct many issues in its organization.

He also reminded both the military and police to safeguard people’s interests at all times.

“With the police it needs to be corrected. It has always been a problem sa (in) any administration for that matter,” the President said.

The President also asked the people to give him time to address the problem that has plagued the police organization.

At the same time, the President also reminded the officers not to forget humanity despite their position.

“Nothing at all except humanity. That’s it. Its up to you how you interpret it — what will be beneficial to your fellow men,” the President said.

Members of the House of Representatives lauded the decision to terminate the emergency situation.

“As a Mindanaoan, I applaud the decision of President Duterte to end martial law in Mindanao,” said Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun in a statement.

“Reason and better judgment, as well as wise counsel of advisers and public clamor, have prevailed,” he added.

Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan likewise welcomes the recent development.

“As a Moro advocating for peace, it is a comforting thought that the government doesn’t see the extension of martial as necessary and relevant — especially now when the wheels of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is in place and rolling,” she said.

Sangcopan said she believes that BOL has capability to bring peace in Mindanao.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin remarked that the decision of the President is “wise” and “compassionate.”

Martial law in Mindanao will lose its relevance if Congress will extend it anew, Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa said.

In a chance interview with the neophyte senator, De la Rosa said the military rule was not really felt by its citizens explaining that only criminals were affected by martial law.

“In Mindanao, we do not feel the effects of martial specifically to us who are peace-loving but for the criminals, they really feel that because their movements are restricted and their plans were prevented,” De la Rosa, who served as a former PNP chief, said.

“If we lift the martial law, I think that was implemented for a long time already. It has no relevance if that will be prolonged again,” he said.

De la Rosa maintained that the purpose of martial law was achieved as there are terror activities and drug activities in the southern part of the Philippines that were prevented if not arrested.

Moreover, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that their chamber is inclined to pass the Anti-Terrorism Act which will impose stricter laws against crime.

“I’m sure there will be pros and cons on the issue from Mindanao, but we can assure them that we will pass the Anti-terrorism act that will give government more teeth in the area and so martial law will no longer be necessary,” Sotto said in a text message.