PNP, AFP to provide safety briefing today

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senators JV Ejercito Estrada, Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, and Juan Miguel Zubiri recently voiced their support for an extension of Martial Law in Mindanao.

During their joint press conference over the weekend in Bacolod City, Zubiri explained Mindanao has become more peaceful, particularly in Cagayan De Oro City, where there has been a reported drop in crime following the implementation of the law.

Zubiri added, private armed groups in the region have disappeared due to an increase in police checkpoints and regular patrols carried out by the military.

Meanwhile, Estrada said businessmen have said their safety and security feels assured; while Angara also indicated his support for the measure, he said he would wait for today’s scheduled security briefing by the police and the Armed Forces of The Philippines.

The entire island of Mindanao was placed under Martial Law in May 2017, when the Islamic State-sponsored terrorists, the Maute terror group, attempted to takeover Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

Leftist groups, meanwhile, have expressed opposition to the proposal./DGB, WDJ