CEBU’s Muslim communities were called on to support the government’s decision to extend martial law in Mindanao during yesterday’s dialogue.
“The fight in Marawi may end but the battle against violent extremism continues. So the end of the gunfires does not mean that the peace and order situations in the city is stabilized,” said Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson of the government’s Marawi crisis management committee.
Adiong said his support towards martial law extension is based on how military rule had been enforced in Mindanao since the Marawi City siege transpired last May.
“The stigma stems from how martial law was implemented in the past. But the martial law of today is just the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. The courts are functioning and Congress is still working,” Adiong said.
Adiong said the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is aimed at the speedy arrest of Maute terrorists who managed to exit from the main battleground and are possibly recruiting potential fighters.
“The military cannot win this fight with guns and bullets alone. They need to win the hearts of the people. That’s why we have to provide the needs of the people – livelihood, housing, reparation,” he said.
Adiong said government agencies are coordinating with stakeholders to address the needs of the Marawi evacuees now living in Cebu and other provinces in Central Visayas.
Regional Director Malo Manonggiring of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said there are 2,000 indigenous people identified as Marawi City evacuees in Cebu province.