MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed optimism that peace and order in Mindanao will further improve even after Martial Law in the region expired at midnight last night (Dec. 31).
In a statement it released on its Facebook page, the PNP took pride that “the state of lawlessness that prompted the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao has been significantly contained since the IS-Maute rebellion was decisively crushed in October 2017.”
The statement also reads that communities in Mindanao “have substantially recovered ground that was momentarily lost to the IS-Maute effort” after more than two years under Martial Law.
It was also during that period that the government gained a solid foothold on some influenced and threatened communities where it effectively established military and police presence which denied the rebel group “mass base support and room to maneuver and expand, rendering it immobile to some extent.”
“With this optimistic outlook under BARMM self-rule, the regional peace and order condition is expected to improve further as gleaned from the national crime environment and validated by positive public opinion,” the statement further read.
The police force credited the establishment of the BARMM in predominantly Muslim areas as the game-changer in achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.
The PNP also agreed with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that Martial rule need not be further implemented in the region.
Read: AFP confident of strong security in Mindanao after martial law lapses
The PNP expressed its gratitude to the public for its support, understanding, and patience during the Martial Law period, reassuring them that the police force will remain alert and vigilant in preventing crimes.— /mbmf
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