By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local Muslim leaders recently expressed their support for the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, claiming there is sufficient reason for the move.

Omar Betita, an Imam of the Dhar Al-Dhikr Mosque in Barangay Mansilingan, said the extension would bring security not only to embattled Marawi City but to the entire region, which has been in conflict for years.

He stated, Martial Law would also hasten the rebuilding efforts in Marawi City.

Yousof Pos, another Muslim leader based in Negros, said the proposed extension, until December of this year, is “reasonable.”

The House of Representatives is scheduled to conduct a joint session today to tackle President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to extend the policy.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.; Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson; and 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, declared their support for the proposed extension amid the ongoing war against the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group./DGB, WDJ