Martial law extension a 'victory' for Mindanao IPs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Saying they need protection from communist insurgents, a group of Indigenous People (IP) leaders hailed the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Datu Armando Bravo, founder and executive director of Lumad Mindanao Movement for Peace and Development, said Wednesday's decision of both chambers of Congress to extend martial law on the island was a victory for tribal groups, which have long suffered from the "atrocities" of the New People's Army (NPA).

Bravo said the real enemy of the tribal communities is the NPA -- the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines -- which he blamed for a number of human rights abuses, particularly in Bukidnon province.

"We are a peace-loving people. But why are the NPAs killing us? The military is their enemy -- not us," the IP leader said.

On Dec. 10, Bravo and his group -- along with other pro-martial law advocates -- staged a rally in the city in observance of the International Human Rights Day.

Also on that day, the Regional Peace and Order Council in Region 10 (RPOC-10) issued a resolution in support of martial law extension.

However, an RPOC-10 member -- the Balay Mindanaw, a non-government organization -- opposed the resolution, describing martial law as a threat to the "democratic rights of citizens.”

Instead, Balay Mindanaw called on Congress to pass "a new and more humane Human Security Act to effectively counter the threats and address the roots of the problems, rather than the government resorting to blanket martial law declaration."

Enacted on February 8, 2007, Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007 is the country’s primary anti-terrorism law aimed at addressing internal security threats, such as terrorism. (PNA)