MANILA — Businessmen are more confident to invest in Mindanao with martial law in place, Malacañang said on Thursday noting that this declaration has not had any negative effects at present.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark defending anew President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s move to declare martial law in Mindanao after ISIS-inspired Maute laid siege to Marawi City last May 23, 2017.
“Sa totoo lang, kung ika’y kontratistsa, siguro iisipin mo, ayaw mo matapos ang martial law habang ika’y gumagawa dito sa Marawi dahil you would want to be completely secured (To be honest, if you were a contractor, you might not want martial law to be lifted while you’re working there because you want to be completely secured),” Roque said in a press briefing in Mindanao.
According to Roque, martial law did not affect the economic growth of the Philippines which expanded by 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2018.
“We’re on track to achieving our growth target so sa tingin ko po walang negative na epekto (so I think there are no negative effects),” Roque said.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said that projects of companies in Mindanao, like in Davao, are ongoing despite the declaration of martial law.
He added that the business community has not raised any concern on the martial law in Mindanao.
“They see that martial law will give more control over the situation. You need a measure to ensure that it’s safer for the citizens, properties, and businesses, and that is what the President has to do,” Lopez said.
Barely any violations
Roque also pointed out that there were barely any reported human rights violations reported in Mindanao despite martial law.
“Walang negative na epekto yung martial law kasi wala namang malawakang abusong nare-report (Martial law has no negative effect because there are no widespread abuses being reported),” Roque said.
If there were any abuses, Roque said that the government assured to punish them.
Roque earlier challenged human rights group Karapatan to show proof that one activist gets killed each week since martial law was implemented.
“If there is really one killed each week, file a case because unfortunately, our legal system will not be triggered without the complaint,” Roque said in a media interview.
“You file the case because if there is no complaint, the legal system will not work,” he said.
According to media reports, Karapatan called on the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Mindanao. (PNA)
