Push Admin

Duterte to lift martial law when military, police deem Mindanao 'safe'

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/trending/07/01/20170627-duterte-eid-l-ftr-mnib-14.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he will lift martial law in Mindanao once government security forces deem the region safe from terrorists. <cite>Malacañang Photo</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he will lift martial law in Mindanao once government security forces deem the region safe from terrorists.</p><p>“When the military and police will tell me, &#x27;Duterte, it’s time to lift martial law because everything is safe already,&#x27; OK,” Duterte said in a speech at the 50th founding anniversary of Davao del Sur in Digos City.</p><p>“It’s not dependent on the whim na punta (sa) Supreme Court . . . We can talk of anything else and make compromises, maybe, but not when the interest of my country is at stake. That is not negotiable.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hiY8sGl6ecc" width="560"></iframe></figure><p>The Supreme Court held oral arguments on the petition against the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on June 13-15. </p><p>Duterte reiterated he did not want to declare martial law in Mindanao but that the situation was “critical.”</p><p>“In the first place, I did not do it on my own volition. I was in Russia when pumasok ‘yung balita,” he said.</p><p>“What they answered to me was this: ’Mayor, the situation is critical pati ‘yung mga civilian namamatay na.’ Ako as mayor, as a prosecutor, as a congressman, I have my standard kung ano ‘yung critical. ‘Yung critical ko baka sa’yo hindi. But I will . . . I take care of a country.”</p><p>In a speech in Iligan City last week, Duterte <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/20/17/duterte-apologizes-to-maranaos-for-declaring-martial-law">apologized</a> for declaring martial law.</p><p>&quot;I would like to say to the Maranao people that I am very, very, very sorry na nangyari ito sa atin. Sana kung madaling panahon, you will find in your heart to forgive my soldiers, ang gobyerno, pati ako, for declaring martial law,&quot; Duterte told displaced families.</p><p>&quot;Wala akong choice, sinisira na ang Marawi. I have to drive them out. But I am very sorry. Pakiabot na lang sa ating mga kapatid na Maranao ang aking paghihinanakit din sa nangyari. Patawarin niyo po kami.”</p><p>Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial rule on May 23, the day the Maute group attacked Marawi City.</p>

<p>Duterte has reiterated he did not want to declare martial law in Mindanao but that the situation was “critical.”</p>

Duterte has reiterated he did not want to declare martial law in Mindanao but that the situation was “critical.”