By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (Kabayan) Party-list Rep. Harry Roque yesterday expressed his support for the Supreme Court (SC) decision upholding the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.
“I support this declaration of Martial Law [but] I hope, within the 60-day period, government forces will take control of Marawi City and there would be no more reason to extend Martial Law,” he said.
Roque recounted a recent visit to the conflict-ridden city, noting the situation has improved as the Islamic State-backed Maute group is currently being isolated to one barangay, based on a briefing from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The congressman believes the country is dealing with a big problem with terrorism and gave credit to President Rodrigo Duterte for taking a firm stance when it comes to dealing with conflict.
“Any other president would be wishy-washy, but there was political resolve in treating the Maute problem as a military problem and giving it a military solution,” Roque stated.
Duterte declared Martial Law throughout Mindanao back in May, following an attempted takeover of Marawi City by the Maute group. Around 336 militants have since been killed, with nine suspected terrorists in the custody of government forces./WDJ