MANILA — With the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, the Maute Group and other terrorists will have a difficult time making “tangible gains”, Malacañang said on Monday.
“Dahil nga sa martial law na umiiral ‘no ay mahihirapan din talaga magkaroon ng tangible gains ang ating mga kalaban (Because of martial law, our enemies will have a hard time making tangible gains),” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
Roque made this remark following reports of a military operation conducted over the weekend against suspected Maute gunmen in Tubaran town in Lanao del Sur.
“Ito po siguro nagpapatunay na talagang may kalaban pa tayo diyan sa Mindanao, kaya nga po dahilan na naririyan pa ang martial law (This proves that there are still enemies in Mindanao, which is why there is still a need for martial law in Mindanao),” Roque said.
He, however, allayed fears of another Marawi siege and assured civilians that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be ready to protect them.
“Hindi naman po dapat ikabahala ito, dahil ang puwersa nila ay kakaunti na lang (I don’t think this is a cause for concern because only a few of their forces are left),” Roque said.
“Handa naman po ang ating Hukbong Sandatahan para protektahan ang ating mga sibilyan diyan sa Lanao Del Sur (Our Armed Forces are ready to protect our civilians in Lanao Del Sur),” he added. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
