ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Thursday welcomed Congress’ decision to extend the imposition of martial law in Mindanao by another year.
In a statement, Salazar said the extension of martial law will strengthen security in Mindanao and preempt lawless elements from sowing chaos.
President Rodrigo Duterte implemented martial law when the Maute group attacked Marawi City on May 23, 2017.
In a joint session on Wednesday, the two chambers of Congress approved Malacanang’s request for the extension of martial law from January 1 to December 31, 2019.
“We strongly support the extension of martial law in order to enable security forces to counter and prevent lawlessness and terrorism and strengthen security in our area with the help of the barangays,” Salazar said.
She said the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), which she chairs, has passed a resolution during its recent meeting supporting Duterte's decision.
The mayor also maintained there is a need to strengthen and intensify security in the Zamboanga Peninsula, and that proper coordination is continuously done among government forces to maintain peace and order.
She also noted that martial law is needed to further strengthen the campaign against smuggling in the city and adjoining provinces.
Salazar earlier said she was directed by the President to intensify anti-smuggling operations in the city and report local officials who do not cooperate with the government's anti-smuggling campaign. (PNA)
