Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe II of the Second District of Zamboanga City. (Grabbed from Cong. Dalipe's Facebook Page)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Second District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe II on Friday announced his support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to extend the imposition of martial law in Mindanao next year.
Dalipe’s statement came after the President announced that martial law in Mindanao will not be extended after it expires on December 31.
He said he believes the police and military are on top of the situation and “there is no need for an extension of military rule after December 31.”
“Let us respect the decision of the President. It is better to lift martial law because it has somehow affected the business situation,” Dalipe said.
Duterte imposed martial law after the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, now known as the Dawla Islamiyah, laid siege to Marawi City on May 23, 2017.
The siege sparked five months of clashes as government troops fought the Maute group to flush out the terrorists from their encampment.
Dalipe said there is also no need to reduce the number of soldiers and policemen deployed to several areas of Mindanao.
Capt. Edwin Duco, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) information officer, said they see no reason for the continued imposition of martial law.
In the case of this city, Duco said the police and military are in control of the situation.
“Based on our assessment and evaluation submitted to Camp Crame, this city is peaceful and there is no need for it to be under martial law if the President extends it once more next year,” he said. (PNA)
