By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, declared his support for the proposed extension of Martial Law by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a recent interview, the general said, as a strategic planner, he knows the timetable for the implementation of the Martial Law in Mindanao was too short and needs to be extended in order to provide more time towards the elimination of terrorists.

He said it is very important to bring stability and security to the region before allowing social, political, and economic developments to enter.

Aying added, if left unattended, the situation in Mindanao would further worsen and become difficult for the government to handle.

Earlier, both Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson endorsed the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao amid the ongoing war against the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group.

Duterte had previously asked the House of Representatives to extend Martial Law in Mindanao until December 31, 2017./DGB, WDJ