Tomas: Failure of intel caused martial law in Mindanao

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the government’s failure to set up an effective intelligence system is the reason why martial law is imposed in Mindanao.

He said while he personally doesn’t approve of martial law, he will give President Rodrigo Duterte the benefit of the doubt.

“Considering that it is hard to imagine how so much arms and ammunition would be placed in Marawi and it wasn’t detected by the government. The president was shocked. I am shocked. How come they don’t run out of food? Maybe they have food there for five years. I don’t know. I’m not surprised anymore,” Osmeña said.

He said the gathering of intelligence information appears to be defective. That’s why special powers are needed in Mindanao, Osmeña said.

“Marawi is not a big place. He (Duterte) has to finish his job,” the mayor said. Osmeña said he doesn’t support the extension of martial law to more than a year.

“Some of the things that he is doing I would not have done the same way. When he cut off talks, I think that is bad. The principle here is the more talking there is the chances of violence being reduced goes up. I’m not saying it will stop. At least you have access to certain issues,” he said.